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Derrick Rose Cleared To Play, Now It's Up To Him

By Chuck Sudo in News on Mar 8, 2013 5:30PM

What was that I wrote earlier this morning about the scrutiny over Derrick Rose's rehab? Tie me to the mast. ESPN Chicago's Melissa Isaacson reports Rose's doctor has cleared the Bulls point guard to play. Now it's up to Rose to make the final call on whether he suits up and takes the court.

Even with clearance, Rose has told team officials he won't return until he's "100 percent mentally ready" to return. That means he wants to be certain he can dunk in stride off his left foot. We've seen the videos of Rose casually dunking off either foot in practice, but he isn't convinced yet he can do so off the left foot in a game situation.

Further complicating matters is a report earlier this week by NBA.com's David Aldridge that Rose "feels a pinch" in his reconstructed left knee when moving to his right. Rose told the same thing to Comcast SportsNet's Aggrey Sam last month and added he wouldn't mind missing the season. Both Sam and Tribune Bulls beat writer K.C. Johnson said, it they had to bet, Rose would sit out the season.

And it's not as if Rose's return suddenly makes the Bulls title contenders; it only means the difference between a possible first-round sweep and winning one game in the playoffs. The Bulls have been working hard at being non-committal and saying Rose's status is "day to day," lest Rose say something that contradicts the Bulls' position. At this point, we don't care. If it happens, it happens. If not, there's always next year.