Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose has made it a point to set the record straight about his return to the NBA after sitting the entire last season out due to an ACL injury. On Wednesday night, in a preseason win against the Detroit Pistons, Rose showcased his quickness and explosiveness at a level that could exceed his ability prior to his knee injury.
“I think I’m way more explosive now,” Rose said after scoring 22 points in 22 minutes. “Like getting to the rim. I think I can take contact a little bit better. And as far as jumping-wise I think I can jump even higher. They tested my vertical — I increased it by five inches. I just didn’t show it yet because there’s no need to.”
Rose told the media after his first preseason game that his vertical jump is now 42 inches; it was 37 inches before he was hurt.
Now, two games later, Rose looks greater than ever and says any he’s knee isn’t giving him any trouble.
“The biggest thing is after you have an ACL or any injury, it’s the mental part,” Rose said. “And for me not to think about anything no more, and actually be reacting to the defense and the offense, it feels great knowing that I’m safe. I don’t have to worry about anything at all, even if I go to the hole and get contact and fall any type of way, that I could easily get up and bounce right back and play the way I that I normally know how to play.”
