Rose hopes to play but understands if Bulls stay cautious
Derrick Rose is anxious to play Tuesday when the Bulls visit his college home to face the Memphis Grizzlies.
In order to take the court, though, Rose will have to transform himself into Mr. Right.
He's not quite ready to use his left hand, thanks to the sprained wrist suffered last Thursday when knocked to the floor by Orlando's Dwight Howard.
"I'm usually dribbling with my left hand, driving with my left hand, basically like a left-handed player," Rose said Monday at the Berto Center. "But I really can't do that anymore, because I can't push down like that. The strength isn't there anymore.
"It would be difficult to like, make myself an all-right hand player, even though I'm right handed."
Rose, who spent his one season of college basketball playing for the Memphis Tigers, said if it was up to him, he would definitely play and make the best of his injury. But he seemed prepared for the possibility the Bulls will hold him out against the Grizzlies and probably again Wednesday in Dallas.
"Gar (general manager Gar Forman) was telling me don't rush it," Rose said. "If anything, wait for this weekend or this Friday's game (against Cleveland). I want to play definitely because it's Memphis. But if they tell me to wait, I'll wait."
There is no reason for Rose to rush back from his injury, because the Bulls know the reality of their situation. They've lost seven in a row and their chances of beating Memphis, Dallas or are not very good.
On Saturday, though, the Bulls visit Philadelphia, which is 1-9 in its last 10 games. It's the start of a much more reasonable final 14 games of the regular season, which provides a chance for the Bulls to make a final playoff push.
By then, Rose should be fine, forward Luol Deng might be back from a right calf sprain and the Bulls may even start thinking about sending center Joakim Noah (plantar fasciitis, left foot) back on the floor.
"Hopefully when we get all our players back, we'll make a run for it," Rose said.
Coach Vinny Del Negro didn't rule out Deng for Tuesday's game, but it doesn't appear likely he'll play in Memphis or Dallas.
If Rose and Deng sit out against the Grizzlies, the Bulls will be missing four starters, because guard Kirk Hinrich must serve a one-game suspension for bumping referee Bennie Adams on Friday in Miami.
"The only way we have a realistic chance to is to get everybody healthy," Del Negro said. "When that is, I don't know. But we've still got to play well, still have to find ways to win. - It's not a lot of fun right now."
The Bulls will improve their chances of winning if they can snap a string of allowing at least 100 points in 10 straight games, something that hasn't happened since late in the 1988-89 season.
"I'm trying to keep the confidence up as best I can," Del Negro added. "Guys that haven't been playing are going to get an opportunity now, so let's see what they can do.
"Hopefully we can find a way to play better defensively, which takes time. We can't control the paint very well. We're not very deep because of the injuries. That doesn't give us any excuse not to go play hard, give a lot of effort and try to get better."
<p class="factboxhewadblack">Bulls game day</p>
<p class="News">Bulls vs. Memphis Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum, 7 p.m. Tuesday</p>
<p class="News"><b>TV:</b> Comcast SportsNet</p>
<p class="News"><b>Radio:</b> WMVP 1000-AM</p>
<p class="News"><b>Update:</b> The closest the Bulls have come to winning a game during their seven-game losing streak was March 4 when they led Memphis by 17 points late in the second quarter at the United Center. The Grizzlies (35-32) dominated the fourth quarter, however, and won 105-96 behind 31 points and 18 rebounds from power forward Zach Randolph. SF Rudy Gay is averaging 19.9 points, SG O.J. Mayo 17.7. Since the Grizzlies relocated in 2001, the Bulls are 1-7 in Memphis.</p>
<p class="News"><b>Next:</b> Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday</p>
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