The Derrick Rose Saga: Why Rose shouldn’t be criticized for looking towards his future

The two-plus day saga of Derrick Rose has brought to the light one glaring detail to the light: No matter what the youngest MVP in league history says or does, he’s become one of the most polarizing figures in the history of Chicago sports.

April 28, 2012 turned Derrick Rose’s life upside down.

With the Chicago Bulls leading Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round series against the Philadelphia 76ers, 99-87, Rose drove to the basket, elevated and sucked the life out of the entire city of Chicago.

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On that play, Rose tore his left ACL and would miss the remainder of the postseason. The Bulls would be upset by Philadelphia in six games after Rose’s devastating knee injury.

After a public relations debacle that was the 2012-2013 season for Rose and the Bulls, the 2011 NBA MVP sat out the entire season after numerous rumors and reports that Rose would return throughout the season.

To make matters worse for Rose, reports released in March that he had been cleared to play by doctors, but still did not take the floor for the Bulls.

Then finally, after months and months of criticism and debate, Rose returned to the hardwood for the Bulls in the preseason and had a stellar showing through the eight-game warm-up, where the Bulls went 8-0 in the preseason and looked like the team that could stop the pending Miami Heat “dynasty”.

So, things are back to normal, right?

Wrong.

Rose would tear the meniscus in his right knee during a November game in Portland and would miss the reminder of the season.

Can the guy ever catch a break?

Answer: No.

Rose would once again perform at a high level in the preseason for the Bulls and looked to be in MVP form. Then, the Halloween showdown against the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers saw Rose sprain not one, but both ankles in an overtime loss.

After missing four of the next five games for Chicago, Rose returned yet again with a bang in a 102-91 win for the Bulls on Monday night at home against the Detroit Pistons.

Then, after an impressive showing on Monday, Rose’s practice interview with the media on Tuesday about broke the sports internet.

When asked about missing games early in season, Rose replied,

"“A lot of people don’t understand that when I sit out it’s not because of this year — I’m thinking long term.I’m thinking about after I’m done with basketball, having graduations to go to, having meetings to go to. I don’t want to be in my meetings all sore or be at my son’s graduation all sore just because of something I did in the past. Just learning and being smart.”-Derrick Rose on his future"

You’ve probably seen this quote all over articles about Rose’s comments and you’ve probably seen all kinds of different opinions on Rose and his mentality.

Everything from “Derrick Rose is a disgrace to the Chicago Bulls and the NBA” to “Why is Rose being criticized for wanting to walk properly later in life?” has flooded the internet since Tuesday.

Sure, I’m a lowly Bulls fan/blogger with a small outlet to voice my opinion, but here it is:

Did Derrick Rose say the right things? In a way, yes. The way Rose answered the questions could have definitely been worded a little differently, but what exactly is so wrong about preparing for your future after basketball?

Yes, Rose made over $300 million from the Bulls and a huge shoe contract with adidas at this point in his career.

Most people would see his comments as, “He’s set for life! Play through it!”

(But, money’s not everything … unless you’re Carmelo Anthony.)

I’m confused on the Rose criticism. The world had no problem with Dwyane Wade sitting out almost half of the 2013-2014 season for the Miami Heat to prepare for the playoff run, which saw Wade contribute in Miami making The Finals for the fourth straight season.

But Derrick Rose sits out four games after trying to play through a pair of sprained ankles and his heart is questioned by numerous so-called experts, journalists and analysts.

Per example, the king of sporting trolls himself: Skip Bayless.

No Skip, your antics on that blasphemy of a show called First Take are sickening.

(Remember when Skip said the rape trial of Kobe Bryant helped him sell shoes for Nike post-2003?)

Rose’s comments aren’t “sickening” by any means. There’s nothing wrong with what Rose was trying to say. He wants to be a functioning human being after a life of professional sports.

(Ask Grant Hill how injuries can hamper your career if you’re not smart about them.)

As for Rose’s response to the uproar of his comments from Tuesday, Rose was asked if he understood why people were upset:

"“No, no, but I could care less.”"

Short and sweet.

But wait, does that mean Rose will be criticized for not caring about other people’s opinions?

I understand how Rose’s comments could be seen as him not giving a full effort and full commitment. But let’s be honest, after two (almost) career-ending injuries and rehabbing through both, how can you question the guy’s will?

Answer: You can’t.

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Next: #ThrowbackThursday: Derrick Rose torches Indiana for 39 points in the 2011 Playoffs