Chicago Bulls All-Star guard Derrick Rose has received a lot of criticism for not returning to action this season after an ACL tear the previous season, but according to Bulls VP John Paxon, the criticism was unfair.
The Chicago Tribune reported that Paxon told WSCR-AM 670 on Sunday that Rose "took a lot of unfair shots" from critics who felt he should have returned late in the regular season or even during the playoffs.
"It's the way of the world now, the social media, everything that goes on," Paxson said. "Everybody wants to point a finger and blame and accuse and that kind of stuff. And the reality is, Derrick and us, we were all on the same page from the beginning. If he was ready to play mentally and physically, he was going to play. It didn't happen this year."
Paxon later elaborated on Rose's rehab, saying that the guard plans to continue working during the offseason and will be an even better player when he returns as a result of all the he has put in.
"There's no question in my mind that the time he spent on his body this past year was the best thing he's ever done because I think he's learned that, to compete in an NBA season and absorb the physical contact that he does, what he's done during this rehab has benefitted him greatly. I think it's going to make him better and stronger.
"We're fortunate that we've got a kid who is still young and is dedicated to the job and wants to continue being a great player. I think he's going to come back bigger, stronger, better than ever."
Paxon wasn't the only member of the Bulls franchise to express his support for Rose's decision to opt out until next season, as Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau remained one of his many supporters of his choice.
"We didn't know and he didn't know," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "He heeded (Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf's) advice from the beginning to not rush it and make sure he's completely comfortable before getting out there. It's too important a decision for him to rush. Until he's completely comfortable, we don't want him out there.
"We knew this was a possibility and that's fine. You deal with it as best you can. We just want him to continue to work like he has been working. We want him completely healthy."
Thibodeau was joined in his support for Rose by some of his teammates as well.
"You definitely, as a player, you want him to come back," Joakim Noah said. "But you understand you have to look at the big picture. I'm really proud of him because he has dealt with it great with all the pressure coming from a lot of people."
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