The Quandary of Derrick Rose

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My two cents on these comments*: The guys at The Score (AM 670) lambasted Derrick Rose yesterday afternoon, and I thought it was crossing the line.  So Derrick's communication skills are not the best in the world.  That's not what he's being paid the big bucks for, but instead for the breathtaking basketball we saw him play against the Pistons.

So I'm trying to put myself in his shoes, and I wonder if there are any lingering effects from all of his injuries.  I mean, the young man has had assorted injuries the last three years, not to mention two very serious knee injuries.  I hope this season isn't like the 2011-2012 season, when he had to sit out about a third of the games.  But that's a real possibility again this year.  So as strong and determined as he is, there is no denying the many signs that his body is having a hard time with the rigors of NBA basketball.

We know Derrick cares very deeply about basketball, the city, and his family.  That should not be a question mark.  But deep down he may be realizing how fragile his body is, and understandably is thinking about what that means for the rest of his life.  I'm sure he read about athletes who could barely walk after they retired, or worse couldn't remember things or think straight.  We know of tragic cases where athletes took their own lives, after giving it all to their sport.

Thank goodness Derrick doesn't play football, but sometimes we underestimate how physically tough and brutal basketball can be. 

Reference: *Derrick Rose: It's not about this year.