The conversation about Derrick Rose's return has intensified with the latest rumors suggesting that he'd suit up for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals playoff series between the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls, but with all the speculation leads to questions to whether he should continue to wait until next season.
The Bulls have done well without Rose against the Heat, splitting the season series at 3-3 and even ending the Heat's 27-game winning streak in Chicago on March 27 with a 101-97 victory.
With that being said Rose should wait until next season for a return because the time for his return should have been during the regular season. The game speed and physicality changes during the playoffs and Rose will be at risk of injuring himself once again if he rushes things to soon.
Bulls center Joakim Noah took an emotional stand of defense of his teammate and close friend.
"Derrick's a brother," Noah said. "And to see him go through this is tough, but at the end of the day it's really funny how quick people are to judge. But people don't know what it's like to lead a team, especially after you tore your ACL.
"If you tore your ACL and you have to be the starting point guard and have the expectations that Derrick has, then maybe you can judge, but everybody who hasn't been in that situation before should really shut up because I feel like it's just so unfair to him and to this team. We're fighting, and everybody's going to just s--- on somebody who's been giving so much to this organization. It's crazy to me."
Rose returning during the playoffs now doesn't mean it'll better the Bulls' chances of beating the Heat, but coming back next year he'll be an outstanding addition to a system that is working fairly well without him.
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