Injuries have reduced D-Rose's role to a bobblehead promotion
As I was watching the Bulls game the other night, announcer Neil Funk read a spot for Derrick Rose bobblehead night - scheduled on March 24.
The promotional night was brought up on Twitter, with some good-natured joking and ribbing - including tweets like, "Will Rose be wearing a Team USA jersey?"
Or, "Will the bobblehead be in street clothes?"
Or, "A bobblehead whose legs bobble."
Happy to say that there was nothing harsh or disrespectful. Let's remember it was just three years ago that Rose was the toast of the town as the NBA MVP and Chicago's very own.
But the apparent disconnect of not playing and also not really talking much publicly has made Rose more out of sight and out of mind.
His $17 million a year contract looks like one of the worst deals in Bulls history, but management doesn't seem to be in a hurry to bring him back.
Frankly, it doesn't surprise me, since the brass is culpable in the Rose injury debacle. They seem to think the longer Rose stays away and works on his legs, the better things will be.
It didn't work last time, did it?
How can a guy like the Oklahoma Thunder's Russell Westbrook come back from three surgeries on his right knee since April 2013, while Rose continues modeling suits on the sidelines?
Someone asked me on Fox Sports radio the other day if Rose is beloved in Chicago.
I responded, "He was, but now it's like the fan base doesn't care."
The play of the Bulls led by Joakim Noah has put worry about Rose on the back burner.
Beloved? Not really. We do like Rose and hope he comes back, but no one is clamoring for him.
In the meantime, Rose will get ready to play for Team USA. It seems that he is more anxious to get on the court for our country - which is admirable - before he does with the Bulls, which isn't admirable.
I am hearing that Carmelo Anthony may be an option to come to Chicago. My choice would be Kevin Love or LeBron James to play with Rose.
D-Rose being what he once was is a longshot, but being an all-star isn't. One thing is for sure - his contract, which was great at the time, is an albatross around the Bulls' necks right now.
I guess we'll see you on bobblehead night.
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