Derrick Rose hasn’t played a game in front of his hometown fans in Chicago in almost nine months, after suffering a knee injury last November that once again put a premature end to one of his NBA seasons.
That changes on Saturday, when Rose will be in the starting lineup for Team USA as they take on Brazil in an exhibition game at the United Center.
Rose seemed to be pressing a bit the last time he returned from injury, which was at the beginning of the 2014 season. He missed all of 2013 due to a torn ACL suffered near the end of the 2012 regular season.
This time, however, Rose is feeling much more confident -- in part due to the way he feels that his game has changed.
From Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago:“My game is totally different,” Rose said. “When I came back last time, I was just trying to get in a groove. I think I felt a nice little groove. My confidence is high right now, and I think even playing in the game [Saturday] you’ll be able to see by the way that I attack the players defensively. And by the way I play offensively, just not rushing anything and just taking my time on pick and rolls and just letting the play develop.”
Since Team USA camp opened over two weeks ago in Las Vegas, Rose has been open about the fact he was pressing during his initial comeback last season from a torn ACL in his left knee. ...
“I think he’s improving,” said Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau, an assistant coach with Team USA. “I think his approach is a lot better. I think he was so anxious last year to come back, he was almost forcing things. I think he has a much better understanding now. Show more patience, find the rhythm of the game, go out there run the team.”
Rose has discussed previously how he isn’t seeking contact as much on drives to the basket in order to lessen the wear and tear on his body, and so far, the signature sharp changes of direction, both on the perimeter and in the paint, seem to have lessened, as well.
Some wondered if Rose (or any of his USA Basketball teammates) would have been shaken enough by the injury to Paul George to reconsider participating with the team this summer. But after missing almost all of two consecutive NBA seasons, playing a key role in helping his team compete at the FIBA World Cup feels like something Rose needs -- both for his confidence to continue to grow, as well as for him to get more acclimated to the way his game has changed.
