Derrick Rose Is Optimistic But Still Unsure Of Return Date
(CBS) Bulls point guard Derrick Rose was optimistic Wednesday after taking full contact in scrimmages at practice Monday and Tuesday, but he still hasn't committed to a specific return date yet as he works back from a Feb. 27 procedure procedure to remove the torn portion of his right medial meniscus.
"I know it's a process," Rose said, according to the Chicago Tribune. "But I'm along for this ride. I was able to get to the spots. It's just making shots and getting the wind to actually run up and down. That's the hardest thing. But as far as playing a game or come back full strength and all that, that's going to come."
Asked if he'll play in the regular season, Rose responded, "Who knows," according to the Sun-Times.
Friday will mark five weeks since Rose's surgery. The Bulls initially said he'd be out four to six weeks. Chicago has eight regular-season games left -- including tonight in Milwaukee, for which Rose and Doug McDermott (back) have both been ruled out -- before the playoffs begin on April 18. The Bulls have expressed a hope that Rose can return in the regular season to get some rhythm before the playoffs, and that remains the plan.
Even if no one has specific details.
"No,'' Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said when asked if he had any clarity on a return, according to the Sun-Times. "It's a process he has to go through. He's got to get through some practices first, and then when he's good with that we'll go to the next step after that.''
Rose is averaging 18.4 points per game on 41 percent shooting this season. He's played in 46 of Chicago's 74 games.
