Derrick Rose Suffers Another Torn Meniscus, Will Undergo Surgery
Chicago Bulls announced Tuesday that point guard Derrick Rose will undergo surgery on a torn meniscus on his right knee.
According to a report by ESPN Chicago, Rose reported right knee pain earlier in the day. Upon further examination, the tear was discovered. There is no timetable set for his return.
This is the second time in the last 3 years that Rose has a tear on his meniscus on his right knee. The 2011 NBA MVP first suffered the injury in November, 2013. Before that, Rose had torn his anterior cruciate ligament during the first round of the 2012 playoffs. The point guard has missed a total of 153 games over the last two seasons.
The face of the Chicago Bulls, Rose was making his second comeback from injury. He was averaging 18.4 points and five assists in 46 games this season. Rose was having an up and down season, with performances varying from spectacular to subpar. However, Rose’s brilliant performances were becoming more frequent as the season went on.
Chicago currently holds the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls have been uncharacteristically inconsistent this season, especially on the defensive end, but the loss of Rose will be devastating for the team and its fan base. Without a timetable set, it is unclear where the Bulls will go from here. They were among the favorites to reach the NBA Finals, but those expectations now seem far-fetched if Rose is out.
The NBA trade deadline is now in the rearview mirror, so the Bulls can no longer make any deals that can help make up for the loss of Rose. With another injury to their franchise player, the Bulls organization may now look for a different direction in their search for their first championship since the Michael Jordan era.
The injury has sent shockwaves across the NBA. Many players across the league, among them Eastern conference rivals LeBron James and John Wall, have expressed their support on Twitter.
After leading the Memphis Tigers to the National Championship game as a freshman, Rose was the first pick of the 2008 NBA draft. The Chicago native made a smooth transition into the NBA, winning Rookie of the Year. In 2011, he earned MVP honors, becoming the youngest player to receive the award. Rose would become one of the most popular players in the league, consistently ranking in the top five in jersey sales throughout his career.
Rose’s career has been derailed by injury the last few years, but if his previous returns are any indication, Rose will be back confident in his game and determined to win a championship. Whether he returns this season or the next remains to be seen.
[Image credited to Jason Miller via Getty Images]
