“I’m feeling good,” he said. “But if it’s where it’s taking me a long time and I’m still not feeling right, I don’t mind missing this year.

“I would love to (return). That’s why I approach my rehab and workouts so hard. I’m trying to get back on the court as quickly as possible. But if I have anything lingering on, it’s no point.

“My leg still isn’t feeling right. Mentally, I still feel I’m fine. Every week, I’m trying to do something different —stay on my rehab, lift a little more, squat a little more. I’m taking it very serious.”

— The Chicago Tribune, 02/13/13

Jan 18, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose (1) warms up prior to a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

There’s still plenty of reason to think this is just part of a publicity push by Adidas and possibly others. Rose could easily return within the next few weeks or even sooner. But hearing him explicitly state that he doesn’t have a problem missing the rest of the season and that his leg’s not quite right is … concerning.

I’m trying desperately not to panic, here. I don’t like the vibe I’m starting to get from this story, where details we’ve been fed over the past few months turn out to be either not quite true or outright false. I don’t like the fact that Rose has suddenly surfaced — and talking about missing the whole season, no less — right as we started to feel like he’d be back soon. I don’t like that Rose doesn’t quite seem pleased with the progress he’s making in his rehab.

But mostly I don’t like that I won’t have Derrick Rose to watch any time soon. I miss him.

Dammit, now I’m sad. Here’s a picture of Derrick Rose with his son, Derrick Jr.