As many observers anticipated the long awaited return of Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose, the former MVP who once considered returning during the playoff series against the Miami Heat, is now singing a different tune.
According to CSN Chicago, despite numerous reports that suggested Rose would suit up for Game 3, according to those with knowledge of the former MVP's way of thinking, Rose won't return to the court anytime soon, something coach Tom Thibodeau is fully aware of.
However, while Rose's absence and possible return loomed over the series in the minds of fans and media, Thibodeau said the Bulls were aware of the circus everything would cause, and that is has yet to serve as a distraction to the team.
"That's the way we approached it from the beginning of the year. I think from the outside, we knew it would be a big story. But from the inside, the way we view it is, we knew from the beginning of the season that there was a good chance that he would miss a big chunk of the season and the possibility of him missing the entire season," he explained. "He knew that from the beginning and the way we approached it - and it hasn't changed one bit from the beginning - is the players that are available, concentrate on your daily improvement and the next improvement that we're playing, get ready for the game. Let Derrick handle his rehab and then, hopefully at some point - whether it's next week, next year - he'll rejoin us. But for the guys who are here, we've got to get it done with what we have, and we have more than enough to win."
Bulls center Joakim Noah took an emotional stand of defense of his teammate and close friend.
"Derrick's a brother," Noah said. "And to see him go through this is tough, but at the end of the day it's really funny how quick people are to judge. But people don't know what it's like to lead a team, especially after you tore your ACL.
"If you tore your ACL and you have to be the starting point guard and have the expectations that Derrick has, then maybe you can judge, but everybody who hasn't been in that situation before should really shut up because I feel like it's just so unfair to him and to this team. We're fighting, and everybody's going to just s--- on somebody who's been giving so much to this organization. It's crazy to me."
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