Derrick Rose, 29, has recently taken time off from the NBA to sort out personal issues said to be centred around his desire to play. The former MVP has been riddled by injuries ever since he became the youngest ever to win the prestigious award.
It was said that Rose was weighing up his playing future as injuries began to take their toll on his mental health and his desire to play the game he once loved was dwindling. His most recent injury setback is said to be what triggered the internal debate.
However, the Cleveland Cavaliers point guard has now indicated, according to the Cavs head coach Turonn Lue and general manager Kody Altman, that he is in fact keen to return to Cleveland and play on.
The Cavaliers are set to make an announcement some times today and it is expected that the news to come out from that is that Rose will return to the team in the coming days or weeks as he attempts to overcome a left ankle sprain.
Rose left the team in November in order to “(re-evaluate) his future in the NBA” according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin and Adrian Wojnarowski. The guard had previously suffered a left ankle sprain at the end of October and was in the process of recovering in order to return to the floor.
The one-time NBA MVP (2010) began his career with the Chicago Bulls in 2008 where he has played the majority of his NBA career before being cut down by knee injuries since rupturing his ACL in the 2012 NBA playoffs. He has managed to successfully return from injury every time but has failed to live up to the lofty standards set prior to 2012.
Rose’s Cavalier teammates have been open about their support for their teammate with LeBron James stating that “we want him to be as great as he can be, off the floor first before he even thinks about being on the floor”.
It would be a shame to see such a talent go and whilst he isn’t expected to ever return to his 2011 best, the hope is that Rose can one day return to be a consistent NBA player without the struggle of injuries.
So far, in 7 games this season, Rose has averaged 14.3 points and 1.7 assists per game. The recent return to form of the Cavaliers, currently on an 11 game win streak, may be impacting Rose’s decision.