Durant says Rose will come back stronger
A few days ago, Derrick Rose was able to compare comebacks with Minnesota guard Ricky Rubio. On Tuesday, an ACL success story visited town with Oklahoma City.
Thunder guard Eric Maynor tore the ACL in his right knee last Jan. 7 and was back on the floor nine months later for the Thunder’s preseason opener. He started against the Bulls while Russell Westbrook took a night off.
“He’s 100 percent back,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. “The last three or four weeks, most of the rust is off his game. He’s 100 percent healthy and ready to go. He’s had a great preseason.”
Rose tore the ACL in his left knee on Apr. 28, so a nine-month recovery would put him back on the floor in late January. But there’s really no way to tell how long it will take Rose to get healthy.
“I think it’s different with me, because I never was just speed, speed, speed,” Maynor said. “I’m back to where I was, but D-Rose, he’s fast all the time. So he’s going to have to work and get that back. I know he’s going to keep working and he’ll be straight.”
Maynor said he hasn’t spoken to Rose or Rubio about ACL rehab. Based on descriptions, Rose seemed to be ahead of Rubio in his recovery, even though Rubio’s injury happened in early March.
“I would tell both of those guys to make sure you’re ready to come back before you try to rush anything,” Maynor said. “There’s going to be good days and bad days. You just have to work through all of it.”
Durant predicts improved Rose:Thunder star Kevin Durant became friendly with Derrick Rose during the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Turkey.But Durant said he#146;s getting his Rose recovery updates the same way the fans are #151; by watching Rose#146;s web documentary series.#147;I think he#146;ll be better with all that weight training he#146;s doing, strengthening his body and his core,#148; said Durant, who did not play Tuesday.#147;He#146;s doing everything he needs to do. Like I said, he#146;s going to come back stronger and better. I#146;m sure he#146;s going to have a really, really nice comeback here for the Bulls and be a force again.#148;Praise by Brooks:Before Tuesday#146;s contest, OKC coach Scott Brooks talked about Bulls center Nazr Mohammed, who spent the previous 1 frac12; seasons with the Thunder.#147;He was a big part of our success,#148; Brooks said. #147;The guy is a true professional. I#146;ve been around players, they work when the light is on. But he#146;s always working, always putting in extra time in the weight room and the cardio room, on the practice floor.#147;He#146;s somebody you want your young players to be around. And he can still play. He had some good games for us. He didn#146;t play much in the playoffs, but he was a big part of our success the last two years.#148;