NBA Rumors: Is Derrick Rose really going to play again this season?

Jan 15, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose (middle) and center Joakim Noah (13) before the game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Here we go again.

While the Chicago Bulls have quietly remained relevant in a very bad Eastern Conference, it was only a matter of time until whispers of Derrick Rose’s comeback (or lack thereof of one) would begin to surface. And that time is now.

According to a report written by Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News, the Bulls are “expecting” Rose to be ready by the time the playoffs begin – which is a few weeks away.

"“It’s no joke – the Bulls really are expecting Derrick Rose to make it back from his latest knee injury in time for the playoffs…”"

Well…well…WELL. If this isn’t news then I don’t know what is.

However, in actuality, it kind of isn’t news. We’ve been through this before, last season, when Rose was 100 percent cleared by the doctors months before the season ended, but never returned because he didn’t quite feel comfortable enough with himself to get back on the court – evidently.

So, I’m not really sure how that is going to be any different this time around. Sure, last season he was recovering from a torn ACL, this season it’s a much lesser injury (torn medial meniscus), but there hasn’t been any “reports” that have even indicated that Rose was close – expect of course this recent one via the NYDN.

I’m not sure if this is Rose talking behind the scenes, his people talking behind the scenes, the Bulls management talking behind the scenes or if it’s just a whole bunch of wasted breathe. Either way, the only thing that it’s doing is putting even more pressure on Rose.

Rose is the one that is going to come out looking like a hero or a villain in this circumstance. He’s the one that can either comeback this season, or not (again) only to disappoint a portion of his fan base – and again, it’ll be because of reports such as these. Ones that say he “could” return, but don’t really describe the entire situations.

To be honest, I’m actually surprised a report like this one surfaced – simply because of what happened last season. Why would he put himself through that again? Why would the Bulls want to put Rose through that again?

My guess is that there is either one of two things going on. He’s either very close and is almost definitely going to be back before, or right at, playoff time, or this report is just flat-out made up.

If Rose and the Bulls “released” this report, there’s no way that they would’ve done it without knowing that this was a “sure” thing. At this point, they can’t do something like this if there is even a chance that Rose doesn’t return. They would come out looking just foolish.

My guess is that he’s actually ready to play. He either just got cleared for some contact stuff or is about to. He’s planning to play.

The Bulls management sees the struggle that both the Indiana Pacers and the Miami Heat are fighting through as an opportunity. Do they see a chance in which a Rose return could put them over the top? Maybe. Perhaps. I’m pretty sure they’re betting on it.

The only question that remains is whether or not this report will hold true. There’s only one person that could prove that – Derrick Rose.