Rose (hamstring) said he'll play Tuesday night
MIAMI — Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose said he will play Tuesday night against the Miami Heat after missing the last three games because of right hamstring tendinitis.
“I’m playing tonight,” Rose said after Tuesday’s shootaround.
Rose said he is excited about getting back on the floor and trying to help the Bulls climb back up the Eastern Conference standings. The Bulls come into tonight’s game in the seventh position in the East. They are already playing without Jimmy Butler (knee), Nikola Mirotic (hematoma removal after appendectomy) and Joakim Noah (out for season after shoulder surgery).
“I just got to remember while I’m out there it’s a process,” Rose said. “The way I was playing last, before I sat out, that’s the way that I want to play, but it’s all about building and getting back to that point.”
After a slow start to the season, Rose has rounded his game into form, averaging 21.9 points, six assists and 5.6 rebounds during February.
Rose, who has missed 10 games this year, has been very clear in recent weeks that if he doesn’t feel right he is not going to step on the floor. Aside from the ongoing issues with his hamstring, he has missed a handful of games this season because of “general soreness,” to rest his body. Rose isn’t apologizing for his decision and believes after all the injuries he has dealt with over the last four years he has to keep a keen eye toward his long-term playing future.
“I just got to deal with reality,” Rose said. “The reality is I had surgery, I had injuries, and it’s something I just got to live and play through. Try and get back on the court as quick as possible. I’m anxious actually with the way that I’ve been playing before I sit out and it’s all about building back up to that point.”
Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg said that if Rose does play Tuesday, he will be on a minutes limit after missing almost a week because of the hamstring problems. Hoiberg said that Rose still has a little pain, but it isn’t close to what he had earlier in the week.
Rose said the pain wasn’t in his knee. The former MVP said he’s just hoping that he will be able to play at his highest level as the season winds to a close.
“It’s all a learning experience,” Rose said. “The last time, the last few times when I was injured — I was just trying to push. But this time when I came back I think my mental [mindset] is a little bit different where I know it’s a process. I know where I want to be at the end of the year as far as with the team and myself individually. Like I’ve been saying, it takes patience because you’ll drive yourself crazy if you really think about it, but I’m good, I’m at peace with myself, and I know that I’m rebuilding.”
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