Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose has endured several debilitating injuries that have hindered the team overall the past few seasons. Now that he's returned to the court, Rose is thinking more seriously about his future after playing.
Continue for updates.
Thursday, Nov. 13
Rose Responds to Critics
Derrick Rose commented on those who criticized him for his comments regarding his health on Thursday, via Nick Fridell of ESPNChicago.com:
Rose on if he understands why people got upset by comments? "No. But I could care less."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) November 13, 2014
Wednesday, Nov. 12
Thibodeau, Gasol Discuss Rose's Comments
K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune provided comments from Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau spoke about Rose's injury concerns:
I don’t know the context in which the question was asked. I don’t know the context in which he answered it," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "Sometimes we all say things that we probably could say differently. The bottom line is this: He was injured. He had two sprained ankles. So he did the right thing. And when he was better, he played. It’s really that simple.
[...]
Asked if Rose's commitment to the team remains, Thibodeau said, "I know Derrick, and I know he wants to play. You have to take a look at what he has just gone through. It's been two-and-a-half long years, two major injuries. So there's a lot going on there. When you sprain both your ankles, you have to do what you think is right. Derrick wants to win."
Johnson also passed along comments from Pau Gasol, who came to Rose's defense:
Obviously, he's concerned about his long-term health, which we all are in a way," Gasol said. "But we're in a business, we're in a sport, where that's what's at stake and that's a commitment that we make and a price that we pay. It's something that any athlete is exposed to, but I think he's a guy who works extremely hard. And I think he's 100 percent commitment to winning and to this team. But in his mind, he's had a rough stretch so you understand that part.
Tuesday, Nov. 11
Derrick Rose Discusses
The Bulls star discussed all of that with Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com:
Rose: "I know a lot of people get mad when they see me sit out or whatever, but I think a lot of people don't understand that ..."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) November 11, 2014
Rose: "When I sit out it's not because of this year. I'm thinking about long term. I'm thinking about after I'm done with basketball."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) November 11, 2014
Rose: "Having graduations to go to, having meetings to go to, I don't want to be in my meetings all sore."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) November 11, 2014
Rose: "Or be at my son's graduation all sore just because of something I did in the past. (I'm) just learning and being smart."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) November 11, 2014
Rose also discussed the current state of his health, per Friedell:
Rose says he's still not 100 percent physically but he's getting close. Feels good about where his game is heading.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) November 11, 2014
Rose has averaged 17.5 points, 5.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game during his time on the court this season. However, he's missed games with sprained ankles and had physical setbacks over the last three years that caused him to play in a total of 49 games over that stretch.
He's still been a superstar for Chicago this season when he's appeared in the lineup, though, as noted by Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders:
Strong return for Derrick Rose tonight against the Pistons, as he finished with 24 points and 7 assists.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) November 11, 2014
When he was at the top of his game, Rose was named the 2008-09 Rookie of the Year and 2010-11 NBA MVP. But with injuries continuing to hamper his ability, it's clear he's thinking about his life after basketball even at 26 years old.
Equipped with a full cast of stars like Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol along with Jimmy Butler emerging as the lead scorer, the 6-2 Bulls can deal with Rose missing a few games.
The hope is that he'll be healthy enough to make a late playoff run and bring a title back to the Windy City.
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