Chicago Bulls superstar point guard Derrick Rose hasn't played in an NBA game in 15 months. His highly anticipated return is projected to be just a short time away, but in the meantime during a tour of Europe while promoting Adidas, Rose shows off his jumping ability (on a short rim) demonstrating that he's overcome the mental aspect of recovering from his ACL tear.
Earlier in the week it was reported that Reggie Rose, Derrick's older brother, was quoted saying that his little brother was "ready to go" as the upcoming season approaches, possibly even starting in the season opener.
"He was getting up at 6:30 every morning and working out with (Bulls assistant strength and conditioning coach) Nick Papendieck," Reggie Rose said Monday. "He has a positive attitude. He's ready to go.
"Looking at his body, he's really strong. The only thing he has to work on is cardio and getting in game shape. But that will come (in training camp). I have no concerns about him physically."
Prior to Reggie's comments, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau preached the same message about Rose months before:
"Watching the way he's moving now, there's a confidence," Thibodeau said. "[Reporters] may not have been able to see the total work he was putting in. But he was putting in an enormous amount of work each and every day. He just never got to the explosiveness he was comfortable with. I think he's there now. He feels great, and that's the most important thing."
Rose missed the entire season last year as he continued rehabbing from a torn ACL in his left knee suffered in last year's playoffs. He was medically cleared and started practice in five-on-five situations in February and was even rumored to making a late season return that even carried over into the playoffs.
As rumors of a playoff return spread, Rose's absence on the court infuriated many apart of the teams fan base and led to criticism during the Bulls' postseason run.
Reggie also insisted the criticism never bothered Derrick.
"Coming from Englewood, if someone says something negative about us or our family, it's like brushing crumbs off our shoulders," Reggie Rose said. "It's nothing to us. We made it through Englewood.
"Everybody is entitled to their opinion. That's all it was."
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