There have been many changes in Chicago over the past year.
Tom Thibodeau was replaced by Fred Hoiberg and his new offense. Injuries once again struck the team, but this time instead of playing without former MVP Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah was the victim.
The leadership star role seems to have shifted fro Rose to Jimmy Butler, but with the new coach and system in place, the Bulls failed to make the postseason.
What lies ahead remains to be seen, but things certainly aren't done changing just yet. Did I mention that Derrick Rose stayed healthy this season? He was able to play more games this year than his past three seasons (66 games) despite an orbital eye fracture that he also played through.
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Rose has made it known when free agency comes that his main priority will be money, although he would love to stay in Chicago. When KC Jones of the Chicago Tribune asked Rose about how he's going to approach his free agency, Rose declined to give full details, but offered some of what's going on in his mind.
“I’ll think about that when that time comes. As far as right now, the only thing I can think about is this off-season. I've had that mentality ever since my injuries. I learned to deal with reality and live in the moment. I feel I’m doing all I can for this team, myself and my family. And that’s all I can control right now….
I sometimes feel people forget I've endured three surgeries, three rehabs. But even when I was younger, I always had the underdog mentality. People always would put people in front of me. I always had to fight my way to the top.”
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Rose will continue to work, but it's no question that he will be looking out for Derrick Rose. He's no longer an MVP, or a number one franchise player, so the Chicago Bulls will likely explore trade options before his contract expires, looking out for their best interests as well. Whatever changes come, Rose will continue to work hard to earn what he's always had to fight for.
“In this league, having the success that I had so early and then having the injuries that I had, it kind of put me in the same place. I’m familiar with it. It’s not foreign ground. I've been here before and there’s nothing but hard work to get back to the top.”
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