Feb. 17--NEW YORK -- In 2011, Derrick Rose stood poised to become the youngest most valuable player in NBA history for a Bulls team that went 62-20. Kyle Korver averaged 8.3 points as a Bulls reserve.
Four years later, Korver is a first-time All-Star and Rose is somewhere -- in his pre-All-Star-break words -- with his feet up, relaxing.
"You're crazy," said Korver when asked for his likely response if he'd been posed with this scenario in 2011. "That's just life, though, right? You never know what's coming next. And you try to take advantage of each day for what it is and what you can do with it."
Indeed, nobody could've predicted the torn left ACL and torn right meniscus that derailed what was expected to be an annual trek to the All-Star Game for Rose. This weekend marked Rose's third straight absence from the NBA's star-studded extravaganza after he'd made three straight appearances.
Rose, whose stoic demeanor often appears out of place at the All-Star Game, said before the break that earning such honors doesn't define him. Translated, he believes his talent and confidence remain at All-Star levels whether he participates in the game or not.
His peers agree.
"Definitely," Rockets guard James Harden said. "He's getting his swag back. You can see he's playing with a lot of confidence this season. He's going to be back here soon."
Added Thunder guard Russell Westbrook: "Everybody knows what kind of player he is. Everybody has seen what he's able to do. Obviously, he's been in and out of the lineup. But next year, he'll have been back awhile and back to himself. He'll be fine. He'll be back here."
Rose entered the break playing his best basketball of the season. Beyond the numbers, which included averages of 20.7 points, 7.3 assists and 1.8 turnovers during the Bulls' four-game winning streak, he played in 16 straight games and 27 of 28.
Since the start of training camp, coach Tom Thibodeau has stressed that stringing games together is the most important accomplishment for Rose.
The string has been strung.
"Physically, he looks stronger and more explosive to me," Korver said. "For whatever reason, his rhythm hasn't been there all the way. It just takes time. I believe he's going to come all the way back. I really do. With all the training methods that are out there now, you just have to find what works for you and get the rhythm again."
Harden and Korver -- who was the last player cut -- saw Rose last summer as Team USA trained for and eventually won gold at the FIBA World Cup. Both players noted how far Rose has progressed since then.
"He looks more comfortable and confident," Harden said. "Coming off injury, your confidence level is very low. (Last) summer, I was with him and he was kind of looking to get into a rhythm. Now he is playing way better."
Harden spent one summer with Rose. Korver spent two seasons and a summer. Both acknowledged the scrutiny Rose's career has undergone since his knee injuries and called him a model teammate.
"Derrick is such an important figure in Chicago on so many levels and in so many ways," Korver said. "Everyone cares how he's doing. People care for different reasons. And in today's age, with all the voices that you're able to have no matter who you are, there's so much noise out there.
"He got so high so quick as far as being the youngest MVP. There was so much attention around him, and all of it was positive before this. And then he had injuries. Injuries just happen. Derrick tried to take care of himself the best he can. I don't fault him in any way at all."
kcjohnson@tribpub.com
