By Gina Morrone ’14

With star point guard Derrick Rose back on the practice court after a torn ASL, the Chicago Bulls could get to live out la vie en rose as soon as…well, no one actually knows.

The former league MVP has been practicing for a couple months now, but has yet to dress for a game. The Bulls are an alright team without Rose but with him—along with favorable matchups—they could really make some moves in the East.

I don’t know what the Bulls are waiting for, but time in the regular season is running out. With just about a month left, he’s got to get in a game.

I don’t feel comfortable resting Rose for the remainder of the regular season and coming into the playoffs rusty. With teams like the Heat, Pacers, and Knicks poised to breeze through their first round matchups, the Bulls will have to work some sort of magic with Derrick.

Even in his 2010-2011 MVP season, the Heat still dominated the Bulls 3-0 in the regular season, and 4-1 in the playoffs.

Can you imagine that scenario now, without Rose? Yikes.

The Heat are in the midst of a record-breaking streak, and the Bulls are in the midst of a tough schedule at the end of the season.  Could Rose return for their matchup with the Heat next week?

Well, the Bulls don’t have any sort of plan laid out. No timetable. Nothing. All they have is Derrick Rose on the bench, cashing in $94.8 million.

So he’s got four years left in his contract. Great. Do the Bulls rest him for a whole year?

I don’t think so. At least get him in some games for a few minutes at a time. It doesn’t make much sense to take your best player, hide him for a season and an off-season, and then all of the sudden rely on him again.

His teammates need some new energy, and fans want nothing more than a rosy return.

My bet?  Derrick Rose returns with fire in his eyes, and Chicago takes that energy all the way to Conference Finals. We’ll have to see some more if they’re to truly challenge King James and Miami.