Derrick Rose threw down some of the most vicious dunks for the Chicago Bulls… when he was healthy. Today, he says he cannot dunk. And he said that is the indicator of how he has progressed in his rehabilitation from ACL surgery on his left knee.
And so, Rose said he might sit out the entire season rather than return to action incapable to performing as he has in the past. For sure, he remains uncertain when he might return.
“I really don’t know,” he said to USA Today. “I’m feeling good, but like I said, if it’s where it’s taking me a long time and I’m still not feeling right, I don’t mind missing this year.”
Asked the barometer he is using to gauge his progress, Rose said, “Being able to dunk. I can’t dunk, man. I know if I can dunk off stride, I know I’ll be out there playing, but I can’t.”
Still, Rose insists he wants to play this season.
“I would love to,” he told the newspaper. “I would love to. That’s why I approached my rehab and my workout so hard. I’m trying to get back on the court as quickly as possible, but if I have anything lingering on, it’s no point.”
The decision on when and if he returns is Rose’s, although he consults with many.
“(Agent) B.J. (Armstrong), of course. People from the organization, (Bulls GM) Gar (Forman), (Bulls VP of operations John Paxson), all them people,” he said. “Trainers, just people that I will normally be around every day. But it’s really on me to make that decision when I’m going to play again, so that’s cool that they left it up to me.”
Rose injured his knee in the first game of the Eastern Conference playoffs on April 28 and had surgery on May 12.
“Right now, I’m feeling pretty good, man,” he said. “Where (I’m) slowly getting back in the mix. The other day we played the 3-on-3, one-on-one, and I felt good out there. I’m not trying to rush myself, just still trying to be patient and just trying to take my rehab very serious right now.”
Paxson said earlier Wednesday that Rose will participate in 5-on-5 practices after the weekend’s All-Star break.
