Could Derrick Rose Miss The Entire 2012/13 NBA Season?

Mandatory Credit: David Banks-US PRESSWIRE

Ever since tearing the ACL in his left knee during the Chicago Bulls first round playoff series against Philadelphia last season, former league MVP Derrick Rose has been constantly rehabbing and training to strengthen his knee to hopefully return at some point and time this year.

However, the possibility remains that Rose could in fact miss the entire 2012/13 season.

In a recent interview with NBA TV’s Steve Aschburner, Rose admitted that sitting out the year is absolutely an option.

Derrick is still looking at all-star weekend as a return date, but a former NBA player who endured the same injury strongly advises against it.

Tim Hardaway, a 15 year veteran of the league, suggested that Rose take extra caution in his recovery process during an interview with ESPNNewYork back in August.

“I’d just rather have him take his time, so he can be 100 percent, because he’s like me, running and jumping,”. Hardaway suffered a similar ACL injury in a non-contact routine play against the Los Angeles Lakers back in 1993, causing him to miss the entire season.

During a sit down interview with ESPN’s Rachel Nichols, Rose responded to Hardaway’s comments.

“Everyone has their own opinions. When the time comes, I just have to be ready and prove to the people here that I’m ready to play. Who knows when that time is. If it’s all year, I may wait the whole year or so, but if I come back at the all-star (weekend), so what?”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ual8P5QWUdU&feature=player_embedded

Rose also revealed during the Chicago Bulls media day press conference that he is still concerned about his ability to cut with the basketball effectively, at least at this point and time.

“Probably when I start cutting again (I’ll feel I’m back), because right now cutting is the hardest thing in the world right now to do. I’m scared of it. And right when I think I get that out of my system I think I’ll be pretty close, where I have to prove to them that I’m ready to play. Hopefully it (doesn’t) take the whole year.”

Derrick is 5 months into his rehab after having surgery back in May. From where it stands, his recovery appears to be ahead of schedule, as Rose now finds himself back on the basketball court doing light drills and shooting.

The thing that should worry Bulls fans is the amount of pride and determination Rose has to get back wearing a Bulls uniform sooner rather than later.

It may sound weird, but Derrick could be hurting his chances of staying healthy long-term if he pushes his rehab to quickly. He’s only 24 years old and still has plenty of good years of basketball ahead of him. To ruin all of that just because he wants to be back in action this season seems like a risky proposition to me.

Unless a doctor tells the Bulls training staff and coaches that Rose is 150%, I wouldn’t bring him back this year. Until then, I wouldn’t be testing those waters at all.

Chicago won’t be overly good without Rose, but they won’t be terrible either. Kirk Hinrich is a solid backup who can hold down the fort at the point guard position until their fearless leader returns. He’s obviously not nearly as talented as Rose, but you can do a lot worse if you ask me.

Derrick Rose is an investment for Chicago that will eventually (hopefully) pay off in Championships for this franchise. There is no need to ruin there chances just because of one measly season.

I just hope Rose realizes that himself.

As the saying goes, better safe than sorry.

Christopher Walder is a sports blogger and lead editor for Sir Charles in Charge. You may follow him on Twitter @WalderSports