Rose the reluctant recruiter
The reluctant recruiter's psyche was dissected all over the place all day Wednesday.
What exactly was Derrick Rose's role during Carmelo Anthony's visit with the Bulls on Tuesday?
The Bulls' former league MVP reportedly worked out on his surgically repaired knees with the coveted free agent looking on.
Did Rose volunteer for the viewing or was it foisted upon him?
Afterward, Rose reportedly joined in on a 20-minute conversation with Anthony.
Did Rose merely exchange pleasantries or mention the benefits of playing for the Bulls?
Later that night a large contingent from the Bulls' family reportedly took Anthony to a fancy dinner at a fancy downtown restaurant.
Why didn't Rose join them, assuming reports are accurate that he didn't?
So many questions swirled around Rose's involvement.
Isn't the question that should be asked is why these questions have to be asked at all?
Seriously, it should be taken for granted by now that Derrick Rose will do whatever he can to woo Carmelo Anthony.
Yet while Bulls center Joakim Noah's behavior has earned him all the benefit of doubt, Rose's has led to skepticism.
Once universally admired around here, Rose has become somewhat annoying.
Remember, the reluctant recruiter also was the reluctant player who wouldn't play in games even after doctors cleared him early in 2013.
The best that can be hoped about the week's developments - whatever those developments were - is that somebody in Bulls' management showed Rose the birth date on his driver's license.
Rose isn't a 17-year-old high school kid anymore. Nor is he a 20-year-old NBA neophyte anymore either.
Rose is a 25-year-old professional basketball player who shouldn't have to be babied.
That's why it was disturbing Monday to read on Yahoo.com that Rose said it's "not my job" to help recruit free agents.
Grow up, young man.
Professionals in all professions have responsibilities. Whatever the occupation, we all have to do things on the job that we don't want to do or don't like to do.
Some sales representatives hate to fly but are Premier on United because they travel to meet with customers around the country.
Rose's defenders argue that he is too shy to recruit other players. Too shy? There are shy sports columnists that reveal themselves to the public four or five times a week to remain employed.
If it takes Carmelo Anthony to make the Bulls a championship contender, it's incumbent upon Derrick Rose to fully participate in the recruiting process.
Rose hasn't minded being the face of the franchise and has enjoyed the outside income that comes with that distinction.
Much of Rose's prominence has faded since knee surgeries limited him to 50 games over the past three seasons and 10 over the past two.
The least Rose can do now to earn his huge salary is help to land Anthony and there should be no questions about how far he went to do so.
No, that isn't Rose's job. But my job isn't to be as handsome as I am but I'm still willing to smile for the camera if my good looks will help sell papers.
A healthy Derrick Rose is one of the Bulls' primary sales items and he should be expected to double without any reservations as one of the salesmen.
Not halfheartedly or merely in passing or by serendipitous circumstance, either, but wholeheartedly, enthusiastically and energetically.
Maybe Rose's efforts do no good and Anthony winds up elsewhere anyway. But at least Bulls' fans could feel that he's doing everything possible to help build a championship team here.
OK, so to his credit, Derrick Rose did participate in the pursuit of Carmelo Anthony, but there should be no question now about how far he went.
It should be taken for granted that the reluctant recruiter did everything that a grown-up professional possibly could do.
mimrem@dailyherald.com