However, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau is still awaiting green light from Rose.
Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose has been medically cleared to return to the court after completing rehabilitation for his ACL tear, according to ESPN’s Melissa Isaacson.
The ‘Windy City Assassin’ has taken the final medical step in his recovery but, unfortunately for Bulls fans, he may not be making his long-awaited return just yet.
Rose maintains that he will only return when he is 110% ready and is able to confidently dunk off his left leg during a game situation.
Despite being seen in warm-ups doing so, the intensity of an NBA game will likely put more stress on the knee and that will be a mental barrier for the 24-year-old to overcome.
A source told Isaacson that Rose is practising and scrimmaging hard but is not being rushed into a comeback by the Bulls who have full trust in him to decide when the time is right to return.
“He’s been cleared to do everything there is,” coach Tom Thibodeau told the media – as reported by NBA.com – before the Bulls win over the Utah Jazz on Friday night at the United Center.
“Before he makes the final step, everyone has to get together and sign off. That hasn’t happened yet. The most important part of this is that we have to trust Derrick, and I trust him,” he added.
Chicago remain in fifth spot in the Eastern Conference having battled through the season without their star point guard but will be hoping for a significant boost ahead of the post season.
Coach Thibodeau has been fighting with several injuries in recent weeks, also having to make to do without the likes of Taj Gibson, Kirk Hinrich and Richard Hamilton.
However, team-mate Nate Robinson admits that it is Rose who most are waiting on to return, including his own son.
“There are a lot of kids there that would love to see Derrick Rose come back and play,” Robinson told reporters according to NBA.com.
“Everyone looks up to him, including my kids. My son asks every day, ‘Dad, when’s Derrick coming back?’ It’s funny. Derrick’s sitting right next to me on the flight, so when I Skype my son, I take a little peek. He’s like, ‘There he is, let me talk to him.’ I’m like, ‘You can’t talk to him, just let him be.'”
Rose continues to work hard to return to the United Center court but, despite the medical clearance, the Bulls may have to continue to wait for him to come back.
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