Though he was a partial participant in Thursday mornings Bulls shootaround, its unlikely that Derrick Rose, still suffering from lower back spasms, plays in the evenings game against Boston. Rose shot free throws and watched his teammates prepare for the visiting Celtics, who beat the Bulls, without Rose, Sunday.
Im getting better every day, taking it day by day. Just trying to stay positive, like I always say, said Rose. His back specialist said that its just getting better. Its the same thing. Hopefully get this behind me, so I wont have to talk about it anymore.
Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau said the organization would continue with its cautious approach to Roses recovery.
Well, hes got to be cleared by the medical staff first and then hes got to be comfortable that he feels good enough to go, he said. Its a compilation of things. Each day hes gotten better, so we just want to be patient.
Rose admitted that hes growing weary of answering questions about the injury, repeating the word tired three times in one response. The reigning league MVP, who acknowledged that he didnt do any running during shootaround, also stated some criteria for his eventual return to the court, as far as his pain threshold.
I dont know yet, game-time decision, he said about his status for Thursdays game. Rose will receive treatment again right now, treatment again when I get to the gym tonight and go out there, and warm up.
Rose will return when he doesnt feel any pain. I know that its going to be sore a little bit, but I know that I dont want to deal with it during the game, where it gets tight and it gets irritating. I think Im going to come back when Im ready, Rose went on to explain. The back is totally different. An ankle, you can kind of play through that. as a guard, youre used to twisting your ankle, but with your back -- this is my second time dealing with this -- its quite different.
NBA
Its killing me right now. Definitely missing these games, especially big games, going against Boston and all the other teams I didnt get a chance to play against this year. Its definitely hurting, but just trying to stay focused, keep my head right and try to get better.
Rose also humorously revealed the details of his visit to the chiropractor.
I cant explain all the things that hes doing, but I know that its a lot of stretching. I know that its a weird table I lay on and I know I stay there for about an hour, he said. When I was at Simeon, I think before we went downstate, we had a week off, so I didnt do anything for about a week. I didnt go to a doctor or anything and I came back healthy.
While Rose said its too far away to decide whether or not hell play in the Feb. 26 NBA All-Star Game in Orlando, for which he was voted an Eastern Conference starter and would join teammate Luol Deng and the Bulls coaching staff, he put a positive spin on his situation.
I take it as a blessing, where I guess God wanted me to get some rest, he said. Thats how Im looking at it.