The debate regarding the return of Derrick Rose once again rages on. Last season, the point guard headline the Bulls' season while many wondered if he would return following a torn ACL. This year is no different. After suffering another knee injury, more minor than before, many are wondering if the franchise player will take the court in 2014. While Joakim Noah believes one thing, the Bulls believe another.
Rose told ESPN.com that he is seriously focused on his rehab and not a return to the basketball court anytime soon. Rose admits he has not started running yet after tearing his meniscus in November. While he initially said he would not rule out a return following his surgery, Rose is singing a bit of a different tune.
"I haven't even had a chance to think about it to tell you the truth," Rose said, via ESPN.com. "I'm just worrying about my next stage in this process and that's running right now. I'm on the Alter-G right now running on that and hopefully be running without it pretty soon. I'm not keeping it open. I just said that right now I haven't thought about it. I can't think about it right now when I'm not running yet. When I get off the Alter-G that's when I can say if I'm coming back or not (this year)."
Bulls general manager Gar Forman stressed that Chicago had no plans of Rose returning this season and were prepared to play the year without the star.
"We're still working on the premise that he's out for the year," Forman said. "And everything with his rehab is on schedule and he's doing well but that's the premise that we're working under."
One person under the impression that Rose might be back this season, Joakim Noah. The big man said Rose was very active during practices, doing more than just shooting around. While Noah would not confirm if Rose was or was not returning, he left the door open for the possibility.
He's in the gym non-stop," Noah said, via ESPN.com. "Just working on his body, getting better, getting better, and that's what it's all about. He's a big part of this team, and he has that mentality of just having no regrets. Just giving everything you got. If you can go, you can go, and if you can't you did everything you could to make it. That's what it's all about. He's working really hard. He's always around the team. Being a great leader, showing support to his teammates and just watching him work every day."
