The Chicago Bulls are hoping that Derrick Rose can return for the season opener after suffering an orbital facial fracture in training camp earlier in the month. Head coach Fred Hoiberg said that Rose is recovering well and this comes after Jimmy Butler led Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah and the Bulls to a win in their preseason opening game against the Bucks.
Rose has dealt with numerous injuries over the past few years, but those were to the lower half of his body and were more serious than this injury. Rose has had multiple knee operations over the past couple years and last season he played in 51 games, which was the most for him in two seasons for the Bulls. According to the Chicago Tribune, KC Johnson reports that Rose has some swelling around his eye and that he is "expected to be ready" for the opening night game for the Bulls.
Johnson reports that Rose will be back with the team soon, as doctors "ordered" him to "stay indoors" for part of the week and also to "avoid physical activity" for up to two weeks. Rose will be back with the team when the Bulls return from a two-game road trip in the preseason and at this point Rose playing opening night is a strong likelihood.
The Bulls won their opening game of the preseason against the Bucks 105-95 and this was a rematch of the first round of the playoffs from last season. Jimmy Butler was the offensive leader for the Bulls and that is something that should continue through the season, whether Rose is healthy or not. Butler signed a max contract in the offseason after having a career year and he is the future for the franchise. Johnson reports that Rose has been getting film from the team to study while he is out and in the meantime the team has Aaron Brooks and Kirk Hinrich as starting options.
Hoiberg did not push his starters in the first game of the preseason, as Pau Gasol did not play and either did Mike Dunleavy, Hinrich or Taj Gibson, who is coming back from ankle surgery. Butler was tied for the lead in points on the team in the game, while Doug McDermott, Tony Snell and E'Twaun Moore received the most minutes for Hoiberg. Butler was all over the court while he was playing and he had 23 points, six assists and three rebounds.
Butler said in the offseason that he hoped to increase his triple doubles moving forward and that means more passing and playmaking from the guard. Butler averaged a career best 20 points per game last season along with 5.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists and his numbers could increase again this season. Butler played 25 minutes in the game and Joakim Noah added seven rebounds on the offensive side of the floor.
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