Official Derrick Rose News ONLY - READ THE OP.

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KC Johnson wrote

Last August, in an appearance on the Bulls' flagship radio station, WMVP-AM 1000, Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf emphasized how conservatively he and the franchise would approach Derrick Rose's rehabilitation from left knee surgery.

Friday marks 11 months since Rose had his anterior cruciate ligament repaired, and it's likely he will miss the entire regular season. The Bulls said Rose would be sidelined eight to 12 months.

"Right from the start, I thought Jerry set the tone for it. He made it clear about how we were going to approach it," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "We were never going to rush him back. We weren't going to allow him to rush himself back. He heeded Jerry's advice right from the beginning.

"He has been diligent. He has done everything you could possibly do. He puts everything he has into each and every day. He's still not quite ready. We have to trust him. And when he is ready, we'll move forward."

Rose hasn't ruled out a return, and the organization is open to him missing the regular season and playing in the playoffs. While that seems unlikely, the scenario would help Rose clear the mental hurdle on which he remains stuck.

The Bulls cleared Rose for full-court scrimmaging on Feb. 18. Coaches and teammates have talked consistently about how good Rose has looked but also have supported — both publicly and privately — his patient approach.

"We all know how good he is," Thibodeau said. "That's obvious to me. But we've made it clear we don't want him out there unless he's comfortable. He understands that. He has done his part. We have to do what's right. And I think we are."

In his radio interview, Reinsdorf referenced signing off on letting Michael Jordan return from a broken bone in his foot during his second season.

"He mentioned it was the one regret he had," Thibodeau said. "He made it clear to us and to Derrick and to the doctors how we were going to approach it. That's exactly what has happened. Trust me: Derrick wants to be out there very badly. He's doing all he can. When the time comes, he'll be out there."

Copyright © 2013 Chicago Tribune Company, LLC

[MalikJoakim24]

Story Title: Expect Rose back for training camp
Written by: KC Johnson

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013 ... oakim-noah

The only timeline the Bulls have given regarding Derrick Rose's return is eight to 12 months. That means, given the surgery took place May 12, missing the 2012-13 season always was a possibility.

Now that Rose sitting out all season is all but a certainty, the Bulls and Rose have drawn some criticism. Asked in light of that whether the Bulls should have just declared Rose out for the season last fall, coach Tom Thibodeau shrugged.

"They were just being forthright," Thibodeau said of management and team physician Brian Cole. "That's what everyone thought. We didn't know, and we still don't know. We were just being honest.

"Obviously, you can look back and say that now, but we never felt that way. We knew it was the type of injury that takes time, so you just want to do what you feel is right. We feel like we've done that."

Rose was cleared for full scrimmaging on Feb. 18. He has practiced well but has given no signs of playing in games.

"Derrick has put a ton into his rehab. He really has," Thibodeau said. "He gives you maximum effort every day. There's nothing more he could really do. Once he feels ready, he'll go."

Thibodeau reiterated there is no drop-dead date for Rose to return, leaving the possibility open he could play in the playoffs after missing the regular season. Nobody expects that scenario to transpire, however, which means Rose likely would return next training camp.