Derrick Rose Keeps Long-Term Future In Mind In His Comeback
(CBS) Nothing has provided more drama for the Bulls this season than the "Will he or won't he play?" question that surrounds Derrick Rose before every game as he deals with a pair of sprained ankles as well as an organization that's showing caution as he makes his second comeback from a devastating knee injury.
On Tuesday after practice, Rose shed some light on the internal struggle he has on whether to play when he's not 100 percent healthy. It was a new take, and one that came unprompted and veered off course from the original question.
Rose was simply asked how satisfied he is with his play this season. Then he started talking about the long-term future.
"I've been managing myself pretty good," Rose said. "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 … when I sit out, it's not because of this year. I'm thinking about long term. I'm thinking about when I'm done with basketball, having graduations to go to, having meetings to go to. I don't want to be in my meetings all sore or be at my son's graduation all sore (years down the road) just because of something I did in the past, so it's just learning and being smart."
Rose has played in four of Chicago's eight games this season, averaging 27.5 minutes as the Bulls have set him with a restriction of around 32 minutes per game.
Rose had one of his best performances in recent memory in the Bulls' win against the Pistons on Monday night, scoring 24 points and dishing out seven assists while appearing to be full speed ahead. He said he felt close to 100 percent and much better than last Wednesday in Milwaukee, when he played but didn't attack the hoop much.
Rose admitted finding that balance has been an adjustment.
"I just got to find my role in the game, whatever the game needs at that time, that day, that's what I'm going to try and put into the game," Rose said.
