Knicks' Derrick Rose set to return after All-Star Weekend

The Knicks have most definitely seen better days. After several painful losses New York is not in great shape, but that could be about to change with news of the possible early return of their star.

Derrick rose could return to the Knicks soon

It's been two months since the New York Knicks' Derrick Rose played a game after suffering an ankle injury in mid December while playing against the Houston Rockets. Rose would later have surgery on December 22nd to remove a bone spur. All of that, however, could soon change as according to reports on Wednesday, Rose could return to the roster shortly after the NBA's All Star weekend. The former league MVP has been making steady progress in his push to return to the court and could in fact be ready - barring any setbacks - to face the Miami Heat on February 25th, when the Knicks restart their desperate effort to secure a spot in the play-in tournament.

Interestingly it was Rose himself who told reporters at the end of January that he hoped to return "a little after (the) All-Star" break, and moreover that the time frame for return remained very much on course. Though Knicks' head coach Tom Thibodeau said on Friday - prior to their game against the Brooklyn Nets - that Rose wasn't cleared for contact, he did go on to add that it was expected that he'd get the green light soon. For his part, Thibodeau has come under fire in recent days after disappointing losses, which is to say he will definitely be hoping for Rose's return, knowing full well what the player can bring.

The Knicks have missed Derrick Rose

At present the Knicks are on a 25-34 record and sit in 12th place in the Eastern Conference. New York is 3.5 games behind the Atlanta Hawks who are holding onto 10th place and with it the final play-in spot in the conference. To say that the Knicks have struggled without the three time NBA All-Star would be stating the obvious, but for the sake of clarity it's important to note that prior to his injury he was New York's most productive attacker of the rim, averaging 53% on drives for a team ranked 28th in field goal percentage at 45%, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

For more from the NBA

Rose joined New York from the Detroit Pistons a year ago on February 8th and made an immediate impact He would eventually help the Knicks to a fourth-place finish in the East, while he himself came up third in NBA Sixth Man of the Year voting. Most recently the 2008 No.1 Draft pick signed a three-year deal worth $43 million in August.