Derrick Rose has not played in a game for the Chicago Bulls for over a year. After blowing out his knee in round one of last year's playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers, he has been rehabbing, with a return during this post season a possibility. However, it does not look as if he is going to return to the court, as he is unlikely to play in Game One of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Miami Heat.

With Rose, the Bulls have a legitimate shot to defeat the Heat and become the new favorites to win the NBA Finals. After all, they were able to win a playoff series last week despite losing their second best player, Luol Deng, after a case of the flu led to him getting a spinal tap.

Rose also has some obligation to the fans who pay exorbitant amounts of money for season tickets, expecting to see him, as well as the owners of the team that pay him millions of dollars every year to play basketball. Although Rose looks dapper in street clothes on the Bulls' bench, I'm sure both parties would rather him on the court.

With all of that said, we have seen cautionary tales of players coming back from injuries too soon only to aggravate their afflictions, destroying their careers in the process. Gilbert Arenas trying to rush back from his knee injuries is a prime example as to why it is a good idea for Rose to wait until he feels fully comfortable to return to full game action.

What do you think? Should Derrick Rose suck it up and play against the Heat, or should he continue to err on the side of caution and sit out? Take the poll below and justify your selection in the comments section.

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