Rose to Return ‘100 percent’ for Season Opener

Robert Mayer-US PRESSWIRE

After sidelined for more than a year, former MVP Derrick Rose will make his triumphant return to the hardwood for the Chicago Bulls 2013-2014 season.

According to HoopsyHupe’s Jorge Sierra, Rose will be 100 percent for the regular season tipoff.

Rose said he might even return to the court in the preseason, more specifically, Oct. 12 when the team plays the Washington Wizards in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The superstar will join his team as one o the few squads to represent the NBA in foreign markets this season. Even though Rose has bee out of the game for quite some time, his worldwide popularity is still running high, according to commissioner David Stern.

Even head coach Tom Thibodeau shared his excitement:

“What the summer has done is it has given him more time to build confidence and strength in his leg,”Thibodeau said. “He looks great. He’s feeling as well as he has in a long, long time. His entire body is a lot stronger. He has put a lot of work into his shooting.”

When pressed about what type of player he will be in his return, Thibodeau tempered everyone’s expectations.

“You can’t be out the amount of time that he has been without going through an adjustment period when he comes back,” Thibodeau continued. “That will be normal. But from a physical and mental standpoint he’s terrific. We feel good that we have Kirk (Hinrich) backing him up. That’s a big plus.

Still, many fans are disappointed that 24-year-old guard didn’t return in time for Chicago’s run at the title last season. But returning after an ACL injury isn’t that easy, especially when you’re facing the reigning NBA Champion Miami Heat in the second round of the Eastern Conference Championship.

Nevertheless, Rose is moving forward and hopes to return the Bulls to former glory. If he stays healthy, the team should be on the up-and-up and matchup well with the Heat and the Indiana Pacers — the frontrunners in the Eastern Conference in 2014.

Rose was a human highlight reel in 2012 — the last full season in which he played. The guard averaged 21.8 points, 7.9 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game.