Archive for the ‘Offseason’ Category
Posted on Aug 22
Derrick Rose Friday provided some answers with a strong, healthy performance in the USA’s 112-86 exhibition game victory over Puerto Rico at Madison Square Garden.
USA Basketball’s response ended the questioning as Rose early Saturday morning was named among the 12 USA players for the FIBA World Cup of Basketball in Spain beginning Aug. 30.
The 12-player team is Rose, …
Posted on Aug 17
Derrick Rose had a crossover move with a drive and switch hands lefty layup that should have been a painting hanging in a Louvre. He had a full court drive that had Usain Bolt thinking of withdrawing from competitive racing. He also missed a two-handed slam dunk with no one nearer than Sacramento Avenue and threw a jump pass off …
Posted on Aug 13
The NBA sure knows how to start a party. This one is the 2014-15 regular season NBA celebration, and for the Bulls it begins with a bang in New York against the Knicks October 29 and then for the Bulls’ home opener against LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers Halloween night, October 31.
It’s an appropriate kick start to the engine of …
Posted on Aug 1
Derrick Rose’s joyous return to basketball Friday with USA Basketball turned to despair for Paul George, the Indiana Pacers and the nation’s basketball program.
Late in an entertaining scrimmage in which Rose was performing spectacularly in his first NBA competition since his meniscus tear last November, George in trying to block a breakaway drive by James Harden from behind caught …
Posted on Jul 31
It’s just an intrasquad scrimmage Friday—though with some pretty good talent—to conclude the week of camp for the USA Basketball team (8:00 p.m. CT on ESPN). But it’s going to provide a preview of what looks to be some very highly entertaining basketball.
“I think we’re going to swarm and play fast,” said former Bull Kyle Korver, who will be …
Posted on Jul 30
One of Derrick Rose’s best traits, at least for his mental health and state of mind, is his faith. So even after the devastating knee injury in the 2012 playoffs, and then yet another knee injury that required still another surgery and another lost season, Rose didn’t ask why him, didn’t blame anyone, didn’t hide from friends and teammates and …
Posted on Jul 30
You could almost hear the rippling of applause, like it was a presidential State of the Union address. Except it was Bulls general manager Gar Forman. And if you could get past the part with Forman wearing shorts, it was somewhat presidential.
The state of the Bulls, as Forman told it Wednesday after USA Basketball practice at UNLV, is sound …
Posted on Jul 29
Media members were only allowed in for the last half hour of USA Basketball scrimmages Tuesday in Las Vegas. I watched carefully, and Derrick Rose did appear fast, though not faster than a speeding bullet. He was powerful, though not more so than a speeding locomotive and Rose’s jumping ability seemed untainted, though not quite ready to leap a tall …
Posted on Jul 28
There was much anticipation and a festive atmosphere Monday on the UNLV campus for the opening of USA Basketball training camp for the 2014 Basketball World Cup. It was Derrick Rose’s latest return from multiple knee surgeries, and the reviews were spectacular.
“Better than four years ago,” raved coach Mike Krzyzewski.
“Looked real explosive, I thought he was one of …
Posted on Jul 28
It’s Comeback III for Derrick Rose starting Monday in Las Vegas with the USA Basketball World Cup team training camp. Yes, it’s Roman numerals now because it is that significant.
And it’s also time to begin setting the record straight regarding Rose.
He’s joined an elite group in NBA history, stars who have been demeaned in their own community. For …