Who Will Lead Bulls to Victory with Rose Injured?

COMMENTARY | Derrick Rose suffered an injury when he landed "funny" after trying to score in game four against the Indiana Pacers. He was definitely a different player, for the worse, but had the courage to stay in the game.

Sam Smith has posted an article at the Chicago Bulls.com website titled "A reasonably rosy outlook for Rose." I would think there is a little "bull" to that-I just had to pun more, didn't I? And, it wasn't even "punny." Alright, I'll stop, but the fact is the outlook isn't that "rosy."

In the first quarter of Game 4 on Saturday, Rose went up for a layup, as he often does, in an attempt to get a call. Although on a play like that it turns out the player often takes off incorrectly, in Rose's case he landed poorly and twisted his ankle. Rose was taken back to the Bulls' locker room during the game and it was determined he would continue to play.

An MRI of the ankle was performed Sunday verifying a sprain; reports indicate he is "day-to-day." Still, I don't think in this case it is "play versus play."

Rose proved he can go into the game and take up a jersey number; that isn't the question. Rose plays at a high level. While I think that sometimes good plays are overlooked because the Bulls are used to Rose taking the team and putting it on his back, it is the way they have chosen to play.

What that means is that if Rose is not in good shape, he will be unable to lead the Bulls. Who will they go to? Joakim Noah and Luoi Deng have taken turns trying to pick the team up. Kyle Korver has used tough and accurate long-distance shooting to turn momentum around.

The player the Bulls have missed in terms of "stepping up" is Carlos Boozer. He has not been tough in the paint and has consistently refused to take shots over defenders he can outplay.

The question isn't whether Derrick Rose will be able to play or not. The question is at what level will Rose be able to perform.

I can't help but believe there will be a downgrade in his level of play. The Bulls should be prepared for that. Even stars go down, and if the Bulls aren't prepared for that possibility, they will ultimately lose.

Reference:

Chicago Bulls.com Website, Sam Smith, "A reasonably rosy outlook for Rose"

Sporting News.com, "Derrick Rose says he'll play in Game 5; MRI comes back negative"