Oct. 01--The optimism that previously existed for Derrick Rose to play in the Bulls' Oct. 27 regular-season opener only grew Wednesday when the surgery to repair his left orbital fracture went "as expected" and the team estimated he would return to basketball activities in two weeks.
Given what Rose has endured with three knee surgeries while playing in just 100 regular-season games over the last four seasons, two weeks seems like a speed bump.
"The great thing is it's not structural damage ," coach Fred Hoiberg said. "As soon as he's healed, he'll be able to get back in there 100 percent."
Rose suffered the injury in Tuesday's first practice of the season, taking an accidental elbow -- Taj Gibson thinks it could have been his -- on a baseline drive and kick-out pass to the corner. Rose entered the practice coming off his first summer not rehabilitating an injury in four years.
He exited it facing another mental challenge.
"He's good," said Joakim Noah, who texted with Rose. "I know he's really hungry to help lead this team."
Hoiberg said Kirk Hinrich, Aaron Brooks and E'Twaun Moore all will get reps while Rose sits and that Jimmy Butler can facilitate some offense as well. Rose will observe training camp practices as Hoiberg and his coaching staff implement new offensive and defensive systems.
"He'll still be learning," Hoiberg said. "He's in great shape. So we'll go as expected as far as putting our stuff in."
It's likely, but not certain, Rose will wear a mask upon his return. Hoiberg played with Reggie Miller when the Hall of Famer suffered a similar injury. While wishing Rose a speedy recovery via social media, Miller playfully suggested opting, as he did, for "cool shades" instead of the mask.
"He was very sensitive to light in the beginning of the recovery," Hoiberg recalled of Miller.
Nevertheless, medical experts say a smooth recovery is typical.
"The side might be a little bit more swollen but aside from that I wouldn't really anticipate too many other issues with performance," said David Yoo, associate professor of ophthalmology at Loyola University Medical Center. "Generally, after this surgery once you're done with all the antibiotics your vision should be back to the way it was within a week."
The Bulls begin their exhibition schedule Tuesday at home against the Bucks. They have grown so accustomed to life without Rose that players are almost numb to the line of questioning. About all that was missing Wednesday was a "next man up" mantra.
"It's unfortunate that he won't be a part of most of training camp and preseason because it's a useful time for any team to get things on track, set the foundation for the season, especially with a new system, new philosophy, new coach," Pau Gasol said. "But no excuses. Life works out that way sometimes and you just have to keep working."
If Rose returns in two weeks, that would give him five days to prepare for the third-to-last exhibition. Given that game starts a back-to-back scenario, playing in two exhibitions is more likely.
Until then, training camp doesn't stop.
"We still have a job to do. We can't hang our heads or feel sorry for ourselves," Hoiberg said. "It's about getting these guys prepared to play. Injuries are a part of this game, and guys have stepped in during the past for this team and given great minutes when key guys have been sidelined. So that's our main focus right now."
Chicago Tribune's Chris Kuc contributed.
kcjohnson@tribpub.com
