An Inner Glimpse of Derrick Rose

Over time I have come to appreciate, and relish, Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless.  A year or two ago, their gambit seemed more about point-counterpoint argument than thoughtful discussion about tough issues in sports.  They don't always agree with each other, but in time they've kept their passion and knowledge up, while engaging each other better on those tough issues.  In this regard, their First Take episode on Derrick Rose is definitely worth watching.

In brief, and to keep simple for the sake of summary: Bayless levels questions about how injured Rose is and how committed he is to playing basketball, Joakim Noah's angry response to the media and fans notwithstanding.  Smith believes, as I do, that his injuries and commitment ought not be in question.  The issue for Smith is about the content, timing and soundness of those comments Rose made about his post-basketball life.  The vast majority of his fellow players may indeed be thinking regularly about retirement, but they keep their focus to the pressing now, the recent past and the near future.

My take now, a week after I wrote The Quandary of Derrick Rose?

We ought not be so quick to criticize or dismiss those comments, for they offer us an inner glimpse of his mind.  Sigmund Freud built an entire practice and ethos around the idea that what we say offhandedly, that is, without the censor of decorum, is quite revealing about our psyche.  That is psychoanalysis.  Now, while I am a clinical psychologist, and therefore qualified to probe psychologically, I can only relate my notions speculatively. 

I think Rose is worried about his future.  He is worried about these repeated injuries, which is prompting him to see his retirement perhaps closer than he himself would like and certainly closer than any of us fans would like.  At the time he made those comments, he had sprained both of his ankles in one game.  Then, ironically, in another game shortly thereafter, he injured his hamstring, and has since missed four games in a row.  That his body is not meant for the rigor of NBA basketball becomes more fact with each accumulating injury.  But I would hazard to say that his mental state contributes to his injury proneness at this point.  I think he is afraid of getting injured again, and that fear distracts him, and that even minute distraction compromises his play and health. 

Rose is only 26 years old, but I wouldn't be surprised if he retired before he turns 30 years old.  Bayless said he collected $34 million from his big time salary, while playing only 10 games the last two years.  I hope he and his family are managing this wealth conscientiously and effectively.