Derrick Rose; Cleared but not mentally ready

Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose has not played a minute of basketball all season. It is understandable; Rose suffered a rough ACL tear in the first round of the NBA Playoffs last season. Many experts knew that Rose may miss up to a year with this injury.

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The Chicago Bulls have proven that they can stay competitive without the All-Star point guard. They are currently fifth in the eastern conference, and have certainly proven they can stay afloat in the conference even without the former number one overall draft pick. Last week reports came out that after ten months of rehabilitation Derrick Rose was finally medically cleared to play for the Bulls this season. Rose then told the sports world that he indeed would not be returning any time soon. He does not feel mentally ready to play basketball, and he won’t until he can "dunk off of his left foot."

Derrick Rose is truly a great talent. He is a former number one overall draft pick and former MVP of the association. In just his fourth season, without even playing at all this season he is considered to be one of the best point guards and overall players in the NBA. However, to see your team in a close playoff race and not want to get back on the court and contribute is wrong and shows a lack of heart and passion for the game. Rose wants to be paid and considered among the sports elite. There is no question he is one of the best point guards in the game along with; Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo, and Kyrie Irving, although if Rose wants to be considered among the truly great players like LeBron, Kobe or Durant, he needs to prove it on the court. He is doing nothing but hurting his team by not playing. If he was not cleared to play by the doctors then please, by all means sit out the season Rose. By being cleared by the doctors and still sitting out because your "not mentally ready" is flat out wrong. What kind of a jerk sits out when being medically cleared when your team is in a playoff race. Many experts feel that a healthy Derrick Rose will change the face of the eastern conference and give the bulls a legit chance at giving the Heat a run for their money in the playoffs. No, that’s ok; we will squander another chance at competing for a championship because you can't dunk off of your left foot. How sad for you Derrick Rose? People may not like LeBron or Kobe; however hell could freeze over before they sat out because they couldn't dunk off of their left feet. Derrick Rose, you’re playing in the house at Michael Jordan built! Show some class and get on the court and help your team! You have no problem going out in the media and saying you want to be paid to money. Yet you don't want to prove your worth on the court despite being cleared to play. I understand that you don't want to end up like Grant Hill or Penny Hardaway. Fellow Chicago native Dwayne Wade has dealt with similar leg injuries yet every time he was cleared to play he has played! Derrick Rose is truly a top 15 player in the NBA. However, in my opinion all-time greats don't sit on the sidelines when being cleared to play when you team is in a playoff race. The Chicago Bulls deserve better and the NBA deserves better!

-Joe Passarelli