Barkley uncertain Rose has regained form

Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley was on NBA TV Wednesday night, and the Chicago Bulls and Derrick Rose came up in the conversation.

And Barkley, as usual, didn't hold back.

Rose, Barkely said emphatically, needs to play the entire 82-game schedule and make it through the playoffs without missing a game.

In the footage I have seen of Rose so far, he has looked spectacular, but even Barkley said it was too early to tell. We all are hoping Rose can remain healthy, but realistically I believe his chances are still 50/50.

When Rose jumps and lands, it sometimes looks like he is favoring one foot. Maybe that is his subconscious or maybe it is natural.

It may seem harsh, but his ability to play a full season is still questionable in my book. I believe this season is the biggest of his career.

Let's hope he passes with an "A." If he does, there's a good chance the Bulls will win the East. Stay tuned.

Manziel watch:

The latest theme from football experts about rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel is he is too small to play in the NFL. While the kid played in the SEC and participated in every game, that doesn't seem to matter.

Isn't it interesting, however, that the two healthiest quarterbacks in the league last season - Super Bowl winner Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks and Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints - might also be the smallest?

Wilson is smaller than Manziel, and Brees is about the same size. Brees, who has missed just two games in the last 10 seasons, has a quick release and avoids sacks with a decent offensive line. He is well protected by savvy play calling. Wilson, who has played every game in his first two NFL seasons, is smart enough not to scramble a lot, but also knows when to slide, and avoid big hits.

Manziel can and does play the same way.

What's interesting is that the taller, less mobile quarterbacks such as Jay Cutler, Aaron Rodgers and Robert Griffin III (he's mobile and bigger) have been hurt more than Wilson and Brees.

It's the nature of the quarterback position to get hurt, and today the smaller guys might have a better chance to stay on the field.

First female NBA assistant:

The San Antonio Spurs and head coach Paul Popovich will open their season with the first female assistant coach, former WNBA guard Becky Hammon, who could become a head coach in the NBA some day.

I always thought Tennessee Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt would have made a great NBA head coach, but unfortunately her health has prevented that from ever happening.

I do think a woman will be a head coach sooner rather than later in the league - and why not?

Program notes:

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• Mike North's column appears each Tuesday and Friday in the Daily Herald, and his video commentary can be found Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at dailyherald.com. For more, visit northtonorth.com.