Derrick Rose: Bulls Star Admits He 'Had To Be Selfish' With Knee Injury

Derrick Rose hadn't offered much insight into his decision to sit out the entire 2012-13 season after tearing his ACL during the 2012 postseason, but he opened up for a rare interview with Bulls.com to reveal some of his thinking.

In the video, which can be watched here, Rose explained why he chose to sit out the year in its entirety, via Matt Moore of CBS Sports:

"

I'm not a selfish guy at all, but having this injury and going through what I had to go through and being smart, it's something that I had to be selfish with. I couldn't worry about anyone else but myself and my health.

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Rose didn't just stop there, either.

"When you're in practice, it's not in game-type speed. Game-type experience is totally different."

Given the expectations placed on Rose's shoulders, it's understandable that he wants to wait until he's at his pinnacle before returning.

When Rose does get back on the floor, everyone will be looking to see the "normal" Rose. He's not going to get the leeway others have when they've returned from injury. 

The bar is set for Rose, and it is incredibly high. We're talking about a player who has been anointed as the best to wear a Bulls jersey since Michael Jordan walked away from the game.

It will be worth the wait for hoops fans to see Rose playing again, even if it comes at a time later than anyone previously expected.