The Chicago Bulls had to issue some calming statements for many of the Bulls faithful Monday after Derrick Rose missed the scrimmage part of a practice the same day.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau said Rose’s absence from the scrimmage is all part of the plan to bring him back.
"He did some, the warmup phase," Thibodeau said. "And we went shorter (Monday). We had a teaching segment that of course he participated in and the warmup phase. But the live stuff, we were planning on giving him (Monday) off.”
"With all our players, usually the third day and fifth practice we’re dealing with heavy legs," the Bulls coach explained. "We just thought we’d give him (Monday) off. Mentally, he’s sharp so he did his conditioning off the floor. He’ll be ready to go (Tuesday)."
Bulls fans have been holding their breath as training camp begins since Rose hasn’t played an NBA game since tearing his ACL in the 2012 playoffs. However, the former MVP recently reassured fans that he’s ready to go.
"I feel [like I'm] back," Rose said last week according to ESPNChicago. "I'm not worried about anything. I'm reacting when I'm out there, just trying to win every scrimmage and just trying to push everybody to be better."
While Bulls fans may be worried about their superstar’s surgically repaired knee, he’s not.
"I got confidence in my knee," Rose said. "There's no testing anymore. It's me just going out there and playing hard and attacking."
Fans won’t have to wait too long to see Rose in NBA action. The Bulls play their first preseason game at the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. Gametime is at 7 p.m.
The Bulls play their first regular season game at the reigning champion Miami Heat on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 8 p.m.
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