While Derrick Rose has found his form once again and is killing it for the New York Knicks in the playoffs, he will still live on as one of the NBA's greatest ‘what if?' stories. What if he had stayed healthy and continued to battle against the Miami Heat's Big Three? How would they have adapted to the pace of the league?
Sadly, basketball geeks everywhere will never get their answer, but after injuries Rose has always seems to stun the crowd by doing something showcasing his former explosiveness. Here's a recap of Derrick Rose's best games after each of his significant injuries. Given how Rose is playing with the Knicks, this list very well could be subject to change in the near future.
April 28, 2012: Rose's ACL Tear
Derrick Rose's first return from injury lasted only 10 games, and he never scored over 20 points during that time.
However, in Rose's second game against the Indiana Pacers, there were signs that he could be return to form soon. In less than 31 minutes, Rose recorded no turnovers while notching 20 points and four assists.
Unfortunately, Rose would tear his right meniscus against the Portland Trail Blazers three games later, sidelining him until the 2014-2015 season.
Nov. 22, 2013: Derrick Rose suffers right meniscus tear
After another discouraging injury, the return for Derrick Rose seemed even bleaker than before. Because he would go a little over a year without another injury, Rose had more time to return to the game and build on his talent.
While Rose could not match the quality of his MVP season, he managed to improve his outside shot, although he still did not shoot at an elite level. In a matchup against the Boston Celtics in January 2015, Rose showed a return to form with an impressive display.
Rose controlled the game. He glassed a Marcus Smart layup attempt, dished no look passes to open teammates, and found his shooting stroke early. Rose put up 29 points, shooting 5-8 on 3-pointers and dishing out 11 assists in a win against an old playoff foe.
Feb. 24, 2015: Derrick Rose tears right meniscus again, but returns to form for playoffs
After tearing his right meniscus in late winter, Bulls fans worried that Derrick Rose would not return for the playoffs.
Not only did Rose return, but he showed growth after his injury. Going into the playoffs, the Bulls took care of the Milwaukee Bucks in six games. The big series came next: the Eastern Conference favorites, the Bulls' rival, and the land of the four-time MVP, LeBron James. The Bulls held their own against them in the regular-season series, but the matchup had Cavs fans somewhat nervous after Kevin Love went down with a dislocated arm in the previous series against the Boston Celtics.
The Bulls took Game 1 in Cleveland and gained home-court advantage. After losing the following game, they returned to Chicago with the chance to send a message.
After 47:57 passed in regulation, J.R. Smith tied the teams up at 96 with a 3-point shot from the top of the key. Out of their last timeout, the Bulls entrusted the final shot to their former MVP.
Derrick Rose caught it, ran through a Taj Gibson screen for an off-balance 3-pointer, and made it:
Emotionless, he ran back to the bench, carried by his teammates and cheered on by Bulls fans. Rose had done it again.
Left Meniscus Tear: Revenge on the Utah Jazz
After tearing his meniscus as a member of the New York Knicks, the Cleveland Cavaliers signed Derrick Rose on a bargain deal. Unfortunately, they were worse on both ends of the floor with him on the court. After injuring his ankle in November, he spent time away from the team before being shipped out in a three-team trade to the Utah Jazz, who waived him. Pundits again began to question whether Rose belonged with any team in the NBA.
Then the Timberwolves took a chance on him. The following year, Rose scored a career-high 50 points against the team that waived him, the Utah Jazz. Showcasing his expanded range, he shot 4-7 from beyond the 3-point line and made 19 out of 31 total attempts.
Rose hit a tough spin layup to give the Timberwolves a 125-123 lead with 30 seconds to go, and then hit two free throws late to push their lead to 128-125.
Utah lined up on the perimeter, swinging the ball to each teammate. Eventually, it came to a wide open Dante Exum, who began to release his jumper as the final seconds of the game ticked away. Rose hastily rotated over, getting a piece of the ball on the shot to end regulation and secure the victory.
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