Derrick Rose Injury Update: Rose Speaks To Local Media

Derrick Rose broke his silence toward the local media as he spoke to reporters today, a day before the Chicago Bulls take on the Sacramento Kings. Tom Thibodeau said before Rose spoke that #TheReturn would not take place Wednesday.

Feb 11, 2013; Deerfield, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose dribbles a basketball as he rehabs from an ALC injury at the Berto Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Here’s a quick rundown of Rose’s comments, from the Twitter feed of the Chicago Tribune’s KC Johnson:

DRose talked at length with beat writers. Said he still hasn’t had any setbacks but doesn’t know if he’ll play this season. More coming soon

— K.C Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 12, 2013

On what might keep him from playing this season:

DRose: “I’m waiting to that day where I feel normal. Until then, I will just wait. I haven’t had any pressure from the organization.”

— K.C Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 12, 2013

DRose: “I think I can do everything. It’s just me having the confidence to do it.”

— K.C Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 12, 2013

DRose: “When I’m out there not thinking and just reacting, that’s how I know I’ll be ready.”

— K.C Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 12, 2013

On taking it slow:

DRose: “If I rush back and something was to happen, everybody would say why did you rush back?” #Bulls

— K.C Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 12, 2013

On his brother, Reggie Rose, being critical of the organization:

DRose on Reggie comments: “My brother is my brother. I’m going to have his back no matter what. He just had to get it off his chest.”

— K.C Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 12, 2013

On his own relationship with the organization and the supposed rift therein:

DRose on whether rift with organization: “Everybody assumes everything. I’m the last person that someone will have a confrontation with.”

— K.C Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 12, 2013

On whether he’ll actually be back at all this year:

Last DRose for now: “I’m just coming back when I feel normal. If that’s in a couple days, that’s great. If it’s not, I’m fine.”

— K.C Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 12, 2013

It’s hard to say how much should be taken from his comments. He continues to insist he wants to be “himself” when he returns, which is fine except for the part where it’s medically implausible. Everything we’ve seen over the last several years indicates playing in games is the final stage in the rehab process and it can take as much as two years to fully recover from an ACL tear. Maybe Rose is different, but it still seems unlikely.

All indications are Rose is nearing the point where he’ll be ready to return, but it’s very hard to tell how close it is, exactly. He could be back next week, he could be back next season. We just don’t know.

But at least Rose is finally talking to the local media guys again. Maybe they’ll finally stop getting their panties in a bunch now.