Rose isn’t expected back this season despite claims to contrary.
Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose is “doing fine” according to coach Tom Thibodeau as he continues his recovery from knee surgery.
The 25-year-old tore the medial meniscus in his right knee on November 22 against the Portland Trail Blazers, and was forced into his second knee surgery in two years.
Having missed the entire season last year due to a torn ACL in his left knee, it was a devastating blow for both the player and team, with the Bulls struggling to maintain any sort of momentum without their franchise player.
“He’s doing fine,” Thibodeau said after Saturday morning’s shootaround, according to ESPN. “Doing fine — coming along.”
However, Thibodeau is keen for Rose not to sit on the bench with his team-mates just yet, and will likely ask him to wait until he is able to walk freely on his repaired knee.
“Yeah, probably in the next few weeks,” Thibodeau said. “He’s still … he’s on a crutch and he’s got his brace, so I don’t want him sitting there when he’s like that.”
Rose was ruled out for the season following the procedure, but when speaking to the media in a press conference a week later, he revealed that he wasn’t ruling out the possibility of returning for the playoffs.
However, few expect that to happen, and there are still doubts over whether the Bulls can make the post-season given their struggles so far this season without him.
Thibodeau revealed that his point guard is able to lift with his upper body and do some work in the pool, but for now it is still considered highly unlikely that Rose will be back this season.
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