Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose insisted that he is confident that he will return from injury this season, but he didn’t commit to a comeback.
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Rose underwent knee surgery on February 27 and had the meniscus in his right knee removed after suffering his third injury in three years.
While many expected him to miss the rest of the season, the Bulls announced that they hoped the point guard would be able to return within four-to-six weeks, and that has been echoed by the player himself after he spoke to the media for the first time on Monday.
“I think so, that’s the plan,” Rose said, as reported by ESPN. “Whenever I feel right, that’s when I’m going to step back.
However, he refused to commit fully to the idea of returning: “I’m not even thinking about that right now. I’m thinking about getting the most out of every day.
“Yeah, but the way that I’m feeling right now, it’s a good chance that I’ll come back.”
The 26-year-old took shots on the United Center floor for an hour before the Bulls game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night, but he revealed that he can’t jump yet and is still focusing on leg strengthening exercises.
One of the key aspects of this injury lay-off will be Rose’s mental strength, as after three serious knee surgeries in three years, it would be natural for him to be downhearted by his inability to stay healthy.
However, the Bulls star has insisted that he is relieved that this setback isn’t as serious as the previous two, but he can’t quite put his finger on when he suffered the injury as he recalled a game back in January where he said he felt a “pinch” when he lifted.
Rose is averaging 18.4 points and five assists in 46 games this season, and with his current four-to-six week recovery timetable, he should be able to feature before the end of the regular season and insists that when he is ready to return, it will be at full pace.
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