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Imrem: Maybe Chicago Bulls' Rose needs some general rest

So, Derrick Rose was unavailable for Monday night's game at Charlotte because of “general body soreness.”

Maybe it's time to shut Rose down for however long it takes to whip him into durable playing shape.

The Chicago Bulls already were missing injured Jimmy Butler, Nikola Mirotic and Joakim Noah.

Pau Gasol was back after recently sitting out with a bum hand. Mike Dunleavy just returned from back surgery. Don't even ask what's bothering Benny the Bull these days.

The Hornets led from start to finish for a 108-91 victory that dropped the Bulls to a mere three games over .500.

Gen. Body Soreness, huh? Is this a promotion from Maj. Limited Soreness? Is Capt. Kangaroo-itis next?

Apologies to Rose if the above sounds flip.

I'm in a military state of mind wondering what the response would be if a soldier in Afghanistan moaned to his commanding officer that he needed to rest his General Body Soreness.

Come to think of it, what would Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville say if Capt. Jonathan Toews requested to sit out a game with upper-body soreness of any rank?

Personally, I'm pondering what an editor might tell me if I told him I woke up with general body soreness and need a sick day.

At my age, pounding computer keys is the equivalent of the 27-year-old Rose pounding up and down a basketball court.

The editor would tell me to start writing and not stop until the soreness disappears.

Sorry, I'm having trouble flipping off the flipness flipper.

I really do have to stop this because making fun of Rose's condition is inappropriate.

Only once that I can recall was I serious about questioning an athlete who claimed he wasn't well enough to play.

That was Rose three years ago when doctors cleared him for takeoff but he insisted on resting the rest of that season.

Rose doesn't regret that decision, but many Bulls fans and media members still haven't forgotten or forgiven him.

My frame of reference on such matters is former Astros pitcher J.R. Richard, who was doubted when he complained of arm weakness.

Richard wound up having a stroke that ended his career and nearly his life.

So, now, if Derrick Rose says he's hurt, we have to believe him until proven otherwise.

Still, the Bulls can't keep living with Rose floating in and out of the lineup because of general body soreness, much less more tangible physical problems.

What's the solution?

Again, the Bulls should go from former head coach Tom Thibodeau saying “Do … your … job” to current head coach Fred Hoiberg saying “Shut … Rose … down.”

Not as punishment. As practicality. No player should have to keep going out there when he can't stay healthy.

The Bulls will need Rose for the playoffs if they're fortunate enough to qualify, so rest him now and hope for the best.

Massage the general body soreness out of Rose. Have a club trainer stretch out his muscles a couple of times a day. Assign a psychologist to determine whether the problem is psychosomatic.

Then when Rose is ready to return to the court, keep him on the bench awhile longer.

You know, just so Gen. Body Soreness doesn't mount another attack on Derrick Rose.

Not to be flip or anything.

mimrem@dailyherald.com

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