Why Hasn't Derrick Rose Returned?

Derrick Rose. Chicago Bulls Star. 2009 Rookie of the Year. Three time NBA All-Star. 2011 NBA Most Valuable Player. 2010 FIBA World Championship Gold Medalist. Torn ACL. His Return, A Mystery. 

As April rolls around, it is a difficult time for Chicago Bulls fans as we reminisce almost a year ago when Derrick Rose fatally tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the first game of the NBA Playoffs. His injury cost him the rest of the season, but also left the Bulls at a huge loss. But while multiple players injured around the same time as Rose (Ricky Rubio, Imam Shumpert) have already returned to playing, Rose still remains outside the grasp of the Bulls organization. Let us investigate into why Rose hasn't put on the uniform since last April, using a psychoanalytic lens to conduct this. 

First, the injury recovery time is great. The ACL is one of three important ligaments in the knee, and after arthroscopic surgery, the preferred route for repairing the ligament, there is a recovery time of surgery and rehabilitation for 6-12 months. However, this can be made shorter due to the physical condition of the person. For people like Rose, he is a professional athletes with youth and athleticism on his side, thus enabling a strong recovery. Here comes into play Rose's Id, responsible for a person's desires. Derrick Rose is a fierce competitor. He is a very focused and serious player. He has remarked that he doesn't enjoy dancing at the NBA All-Star Game, or even playing pick-up games. He plays to win and plays with a drive we do not see in many players. For such a person, imagine how much it must hurt him not to be able to return to the court and play. Rose's Id must have been going in overdrive, wanting him to hurry the process of rehab, working out often, and returning to the court as soon as possible. The Chicago Bulls also made roster changes, dealing away much of the bench players. The Bulls were beginning a new season with almost the team being new members. Rose was needed for the success of the team, and he would have understood this need as much as any player. With all these factors, it would only make sense that Rose would return as soon as he could, the projected date being March. 

March came and left, with no Rose in its wake. The Superego, source of morals and ethics, of Rose could be to blame. Many players have received injuries, and have tried to play after a short period of recovery, often times aggravating the injury further and causing an even longer recovery time. Rose is a smart player, very conscious about his health.  Referencing his Superego he said, "I'm not coming back until I'm 110%. Who knows when that can be? It can be within a couple of weeks. It could be next year. It could be any day. It could be any time. It's just that I'm not coming back until I'm ready." Indeed, he does not want to re-injure his body, but still be able to return from this rehab just as good or better than he was. 

This is most likely what has been keeping back from returning. He must recover the remarkable play he once had, while trusting the very knee that had collapsed under him. It is now to consider Rose's Ego (his conscience/balance between Id and Superego). The Bulls have been successful this season. Sixth place in the Eastern Conference they have clinched a playoff position. Without Rose and plagued by injuries, the Bulls were still to reach this good of a position, mollifying the immediacy of Rose's return. But more importantly, the regular season ends April 17. This contains roughly 9 games for him to return to playing before the playoffs begin. Is it still worth him returning? He certainly cannot jump into playing a playoff game without playing any regular season games, and thus it makes imperative that he plays soon. But with only so few games left, would it not be advisable to not return, prepare even greater during the offseason and return even better than "110%" on opening? Though this could be good for him, it would greatly disheartening for all Chicago Bulls fans awaiting our star's return. Looking at Rose's Ego from the outside, it would seem to make the most sense for him to play at least the last five games before the playoffs. It means he could continue to recover while still getting a chance to play and play in the playoffs with the Bulls. We can only hope to see the return soon of Derrick Rose.