Tom Thibodeau and the Chicago Bulls tried to temper expectations for Derrick Rose following his most recent comeback. But the truth is that they didn’t really need to do so at all.
Rose’s up-and-down performance in the 2014-2015 season before being sidelined for a torn meniscus was a necessary reality check for all those expecting him to be his former MVP self. And when the 26 year-old went down again and faced another knee surgery, the writing was clearly on the wall – even for those long too blind to see it.
Not only were any hopes of Rose regaining his prime form altogether gone, but perhaps it marked the end of his career entirely.
The latter thought, thankfully, was wildly premature. After Rose’s vintage play during his team’s 113-106 (2OT) Game 3 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, it seems the former assumption might have been a bit rash, too.
Bucks coach Jason Kidd on Rose: "He's playing as the MVP."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) April 24, 2015
Rose scored 34 points, grabbed five rebounds, dished eight assists, and swiped three steals in 48 minutes of playing time on Thursday. He shot 12-of-23 from the field overall and 5-of-9 from beyond the arc. In his first playoff appearance since 2012, Rose is averaging 24.0 points and 8.0 assists on 47.2 percent shooting and 45.5 percent three-pointers.
His overall influence looms even larger than those stellar numbers, too.
https://twitter.com/ZachLowe_NBA/status/591445857049935872/photo/1
The long-range acumen comes and goes. It’s a bonus for Rose, of course, and especially important due to his season-long penchant for launching treys at an almost irresponsible rate. What stuck out most Thursday night, though, was the wiggle and explosiveness he used to crease the paint and attack the rim.
Finishes like this are just something we haven’t seen from Rose on a consistent basis in three years.
That mesmerizing dance and sky-walking lefty finish came as Chicago seemed to grab control of the game for good late in the third quarter. But the Bucks came rushing back from a 10-point deficit late in the final minutes, even taking the lead on a Khris Middleton with just over 10 seconds remaining.
With no timeout called and having already matched his season-high in minutes, Rose immediately took the in-bounds pass and had enough burst left to shake Michael Carter-Williams and draw a game-saving foul.
After stymying Carter-Williams’ drive and helping to contest an O.J. Mayo jumper at the end of the first extra session, Rose was back at the Bulls’ offensive forefront in the second overtime. Do these plays look like a guy approaching 50 minutes of game action? Let alone one who endured knee surgery just seven weeks ago and multiple other procedures over the two years prior?
A wildly encouraging game on the back of two promising ones doesn’t ensure a thing. Rose could very well struggle as Chicago inevitably closes out Milwaukee, and those labors could continue into the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
That he’s even capable of sustained impact befitting his superstar reputation, though, is a sign that the Bulls really might have a chance to live up to preseason title talk.
Thibodeau had this to say just days before Rose returned to the floor following his latest absence.
Thibs on Rose: "We don’t expect him to be playing 35 minutes or scoring a ton of points. Just go out there and give us what you have (cont.)
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) April 5, 2015
More Thibs on Rose: "and that’s good enough because when he plays he makes the game easy for everybody.’’
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) April 5, 2015
True.
But what will make things even easier for the Bulls, of course, is the mere possibility of Rose playing like a recent MVP. And after his epic performance last night, it’s never been more obvious he still has the ability to allow for it.
