No, it wasn’t a flashback or a an NBA TV classic game. It REALLY was Derrick Rose making his long awaited debut from injury, featuring in the Bulls’ 82-76 victory over the Indiana Pacers. 

After 18 months out of the game, Rose looked aggressive, and not afraid to attack the basket, scoring 13 points, finishing 5-12 from the field in 20 minutes of action.

Prior to the game, Rose made the declaration he had actually increased inches on that famous ’40 inch vertical’ of his, or Stacey King would have us believe.

Apparently, his vertical was at 37 (inches) – 3 inches off what Stacey (bulls’ announcer) used to declare – and is now at staggering 42 (inches).

“I think I jump higher,” Rose said after scoring 13 points in 20 minutes during the Bulls’ 82-76 victory against theIndiana Pacers. “I think coming into the league I was at 37 [inches vertical jump] and they tested my vertical at [a training facility], I’m probably at like a 42 [inches], so I’m jumping a little bit higher.” Rose telling ESPN Chicago’s, Nick Friedell.

Rose has constantly bragged to the media that he is a more complete player, and those who questioned whether he would ever regain his athleticism once he suffered the ACL injury have been made to look silly thus far.

Derrick still didn’t demonstrate the jumper that he has been bragging about, however, I have no doubt he will continue to unravel certain parts of his game as the preseason goes on.