Derrick Rose Says He's Still 'In Love' with Basketball, Denies Retirement Rumors

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Derrick Rose is putting to rest any doubts about his love of basketball and desire to continue his NBA career. 

In an interview with Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated, Rose definitively said no and called it "stupid" when asked if he came close to retiring: 

"I'm in love with the game. The love of the game. I still am a winner. I still love learning the game. Where else can you learn more than from Golden State or [Cleveland]? LeBron has been to the Finals eight times and seven straight years. I played against him a lot of times. I've learned so much from him and the whole team. It's just a fun experience being around this team."

Rose has appeared in only seven games for the Cavaliers this season. The three-time All-Star took a leave of absence from the team on Nov. 22 and returned Dec. 4 to continue rehab on a sprained ankle he originally suffered during an October game against the Milwaukee Bucks. 

The Cavs signed Rose during the offseason after he spent the 2016-17 season as a member of the New York Knicks. He missed a January game against the New Orleans Pelicans with the Knicks for initially unexplained reasons that he later told the team were related to a family situation in Chicago. 

In Rose's seven appearances this season, he has averaged 14.3 points per game on 47.0 percent shooting. 

After a slow start, the Cavaliers lead the Central Division with a 24-10 record. They trail the Boston Celtics by 1.5 games for the best record in the Eastern Conference.