I don’t want to use the term “scared”, but let’s be honest, that is what is really happening here. To my knowledge, Rose has been cleared for weeks, but just don’t have the confidence to step out on the court.
It is like being in a car accident and then having to drive again, it is always in the back of your mind. Physically, Rose is fine, but mentally, he is still dealing with some issues.
Derrick Rose‘s doctor has cleared the Chicago Bulls‘ star to play, a team source said, but his long-awaited return to the lineup won’t occur, Rose has told the team, until he can confidently dunk off his left foot.
The source said the team has been assured by Rose’s doctor there is no more chance of the former MVP getting injured upon his return than anyone else and that the doctor told the Bulls that physically “he can play now.” Rose is now dealing with the psychological side of trusting his body.
Simply put he has a mental block and that is what separates the Adrian Petersons of the world, from other players. Peterson had no fear and went 100 MPH from the time he step back on the field. Rose problem is in his head, not his knee. You can’t make Rose comeback until he is comfortable, because he will end up hurting himself because he will be thinking about not hurting himself.
The Bulls are just going to have to wait it out, because until Rose has that Peterson mentality, he will never be the MVP Rose people are use to.