Derrick Rose, the explosive star point guard for the Chicago Bulls, has received criticism for choosing to bench himself for certain games.
Rose, who has been plagued by injuries since his 2011 MVP season, is looking past the immediate results and factoring in his life after his basketball career is over.
“I know a lot of people get mad when they see me sit out,” Rose told reporters. “But I think a lot of people don’t understand that when I sit out, it’s not because of this year. I’m thinking about long term. I’m thinking about after I’m done with basketball, having graduations to go to, having meetings to go to.”
Rose’s injury history has influenced his perception of the industry, fans and his career, according to The New York Times.
“Yeah, it’s just letting me know what’s real,” he told The Times.
While Rose’s decision to sit may disappoint some fans, Rose called his take-it-slow approach to rehabilitation “just learning and being smart,” according to The Times.
Rose tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the opening game of the 2012 NBA playoffs. Despite being cleared to play in March of the following year, he chose to remain off the court during the playoffs. Rose missed the entire 2013-2014 season after tests revealed that he tore his meniscus in his right knee.
The point guard returned this season, but is carefully managing his playing time. So far, he’s averaging 28 minutes per game and 18 points per game this season while shooting 43 percent from the field.
The Bulls are 4-1 so far this season in games that Rose has played in—the one loss coming from Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Halloween.
Rose has missed the last three games nursing a hamstring injury.
