Bulls' Hoiberg: Rose's double vision could last 3 months
Derrick Rose is still trying to decide which of two hoops to shoot at.
The Chicago Bulls point guard hasn't fully recovered from the fractured left orbital bone he suffered during training camp, and not only is he still seeing double, according to Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg, his vision may not return to normal until sometime around the All-Star break.
Hoiberg said Rose's double vision could last 3 months.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) November 15, 2015
Not being able to see properly may help explain why Rose is shooting 35.9 percent from the field and an absurd 5.6 percent (1-of-18) from 3-point range, though he's still managing to knock down 80 percent of his free throws.
While Rose admitted the double vision is still an issue, his coach's prognosis came as news to him.
Rose said "that's first time I'm hearing about that" when told Hoiberg said his double vision could last 3 months. Did say it's still there.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) November 15, 2015
If his vision continues to be impaired even half as long as Hoiberg suspects, things could get hairy for the Bulls. Rose has done some things well this season - in particular, he's scaled back his long-range shooting and has gradually become less tentative about attacking the basket - but he's still largely been a liability.
The Bulls have been 13.7 points per 100 possessions better with him on the bench, and when he's on the floor, their team effective field-goal percentage drops from 51.1 (which would rank sixth in the NBA) to 46.9 (which would rank 23rd).
Rose is just trying to cope as best he can.
"For this to be seven or eight (weeks) out and still the same way," he said, "I can't do nothing but live with it."