Derrick Rose Won’t Rule Out Return For Playoffs

This afternoon, Derrick Rose sat down and addressed the media for the first time since undergoing surgery on his right knee.  The Bulls’ star guard, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season, says that he could potentially return for the postseason, tweets Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com (on Twitter).  Rose says that if he’s “healthy and the situation is right” he would come back and play in the playoffs, but if he doesn’t feel ready, he won’t.

Last season, Rose took a good deal of criticism from people around basketball after he opted to sit out of the playoffs despite having his left knee cleared by doctors.  This time around, Rose says that he’s confident the rehab will be quicker (Friedell tweets).

Bulls fans are concerned about much more than the 2013/14 season, however.  With mounting speculation that the team could look to rebuild or go in another direction, Rose fired back at naysayers, warning that “you can be a fool if you want to, I know I’m going to be all right,” (link).  Some have wondered if the Bulls might be willing to move Luol Deng, a pending free agent, for the right package between now and the All-Star break.

One thing is for sure though, Rose is still insistent that he won’t recruit other players to come to Chicago (Twitter link).  It’s a curious stance for the former MVP to take considering what other superstars have accomplished by working the phones in the summer months.