Derrick Rose Comments on Free Agency, Injury History and More

Following a disappointing season for the Chicago Bulls that saw them miss the playoffs, star point guard Derrick Rose commented on his future with the franchise. 

The 2010-11 NBA MVP has just one year remaining on his contract, but he isn't yet looking ahead toward his potential foray into free agency, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune:

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I'll think about that when that time comes. As far as right now, the only thing I can think about is this offseason. I've had that mentality ever since my injuries. I learned to deal with reality and live in the moment. I feel I'm doing all I can for this team, myself and my family. And that's all I can control right now.

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Injuries, primarily to his knees, limited Rose to just 100 of a possible 312 games from 2011-12 through 2014-15, but he managed to appear in 66 games this past season.

The 27-year-old veteran averaged 16.4 points, 4.7 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game, which was a far cry from the dominant numbers he put up in the first four seasons of his career.

Rose admitted that an early-season orbital injury impacted him, but believes he was able to bounce back effectively, per Johnson:

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For sure, it was a setback. I wouldn't say it messed with me mentally. I was more hurt about the injury. I couldn't see right for weeks. Mentally, I was always fine because I've been through so many injuries. Just sitting there being bored and not being able to do anything, that sucked. But I knew even then that hard work would take care of all this.

All these injuries, I had to learn my body and know my body. I have to be the only one to determine when and when not to go. But I always thought that I was going to get back to the way that I played but even better. I love the way I'm playing, picking and choosing my spots. I love the way I'm playing on balance, not being reckless. And I love the pace that I'm playing with.

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While Rose has faced scrutiny at times for his lack of durability, especially in a basketball-crazed city like Chicago, he insisted that it remains a positive experience:

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Playing here has made me a mentally stronger person. And it made me work as hard as I do in the gym. I feel like when people turn on you or say stuff, it's not their fault. I always say it's a thin line between love and hate. They want to see me play so much that they hate whenever I get injured. That's the approach I take with it.

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There is no question that Rose is a different type of player since suffering his injuries, as he seemingly isn't as aggressive or reckless as he once was.

While that can be a good thing in some instances, it has also made him less of an offensive weapon and moved the three-time All Star out of the conversation regarding the NBA's elite players.

He remains part of an extremely talented core in Chicago that also includes Jimmy Butler and Pau Gasol (should he exercise his player option), but the chemistry needed to contend didn't seem to be there under head coach Fred Hoiberg in 2015-16.

Rose has a chance to make himself a huge commodity on the open market if he can bounce back statistically and remain largely healthy in 2016-17. 

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