Derrick Rose’s return has been one of the prominent subplots of the 2014 NBA preseason. He’s missed most of the last two seasons with knee injuries and was inconsistent playing for Team USA at this summer’s FIBA World Cup. However, he’s been rounding into shape as the preseason has gone on, and the former MVP looks like his old self on Monday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Watch as he beats all five Cavaliers defenders down the floor and blows past Dion Waiters to finish a layup:
Yeah, looks like he’s back.
Was a little nervous about @drose after watching him with @usabasketball, but he does looks like his old self against the Cavs of all teams.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) October 21, 2014
DERRRRRICK. (this is fun).
— Holly MacKenzie (@stackmack) October 21, 2014
That Derrick Rose dude…Um, yeah, he’s good.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 21, 2014
No way of knowing if this will last…. but Derrick Rose looks 2011 fast tonight.
— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) October 21, 2014
Of course, these words of praise must come with the “it’s only preseason” caveat, and the intensity will be different when the games start to matter. But it’s hard not to look at what he’s been doing lately and be encouraged.