Derrick Rose returned after a two-game absence and based on his performance against the Portland Trail Blazers last Tuesday, it seems like he never missed a step. The Bulls won that one, 93–88, right at the Blazers' home court.
Rose sat out two games after falling to an ankle injury, another minor setback for the former NBA MVP's comeback trail.
As everyone has perhaps heard by now, the main issue with Rose is his double-vision, which is expected to bother him for at least a couple of months more.
But that didn't show against the Blazers, and apparently, the win meant more to Rose since it was the first time that the Bulls won in Portland since Feb. 3, 2007, according to ESPN.
To his credit, Rose finished with 17 points, 6 assists, and four rebounds in 35 minutes of action. The playing time he got was surprisingly a lengthy one but, apparently, Rose gave the Bulls a different kind of look when he is out there facilitating.
Head coach Fred Hoiberg was quick to point out Rose's magnificent play, seconded by Jimmy Butler who said that the team plays a whole lot better with a good facilitator in Rose.
But other than his production, Rose drew praise from Hoiberg and Butler for clamping down on Blazers star guard Damian Lillard.
Lillard was limited to four of 22 from the field and Rose put up some pretty good defense despite coming off a left ankle injury.
And from here, it looks like Rose is ready and raring to play some more which hopefully will exclude potential injuries that have plagued him for several seasons now.
For now, his main concern is his left ankle, and the Bulls star guard plans to continue to have it monitored in the coming days.
The Bulls will be playing against the Indiana Pacers this Saturday, a key Eastern Conference matchup that should prove to be interesting.
