DRose sidelined with torn meniscus in right knee, still done for season.
Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau has revealed that point guard Derrick Rose is working with the second unit, and while he won’t return this season he is growing into a real leader of the team.
The 25-year-old has played just 10 games in the last two seasons after he suffered a torn ACL in the playoffs back in 2012, before suffering the injury in his right knee in November last year.
In what has undoubtedly been a frustrating time for the explosive point guard, the Bulls have been keen to avoid the same controversy and criticism that they suffered from last year, but insisting from the start that Rose would be sidelined for the entire season.
Thibodeau has revealed that Rose is working with the second unit on the roster during practice, but he doesn’t envisage him making a comeback this season, which ultimately paves the way for Rose to feature at the World Cup in Spain this summer for Team USA, if he is deemed healthy.
“We’ll find a way to utilize him,” Thibodeau said.
“Right now he’s working more with the second unit so that’s basically how we’re using him, but he’s done a great job with his leadership and he wants to help in any way that he can. So it’s all a plus, he’s coming along, he’s going to be fine, so we’re encouraged by his progress. But right now we’re concentrating on what we have to do the rest of the way.”
Both Thibodeau and team-mate Joakim Noah believe that the experiences that Rose has gone through over the last two years will make him stronger as a player and as a person, but for now they are both delighted to see him lead the team in the best way possible.
Chicago have overcome adversity through the year, including Rose’s injury as well as the trade deal which took Luol Deng to the Cleveland Cavaliers, as they sit as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference locked with the Toronto Raptors at 42-32 for the season.
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