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Paxson: Shutting down Rose not an option

Derrick Rose's 21-point performance against Boston on Friday answered many questions about his health.

Earlier in the day, Bulls vice president of basketball operations John Paxson addressed several Rose-related topics during an interview with Barry Rozner and Brian Hanley on WSCR 670-AM radio.

For starters, Paxson said that shutting down Rose for a period of time because of the left hamstring strain is not under consideration.

“We consider everything,” Paxson said. “Shutting him down right now was not a discussion. I'm not sure that would solve anything. If you're making the argument that you shut him down till he gets himself right physically, mentally, whatever — there's no guarantee that if we do that, come Christmastime, it's going to be fine.

“You have to let the athlete — especially on a thing like a hamstring — let him get it treated, which Derrick has done, rehab it the best you can, strengthen it, all those things, and then give it a shot.”

Rose missed four games with the hamstring strain, which first occurred in Toronto on Nov. 13. He returned on Monday against Utah, then lasted just 10 minutes the following night at Denver before deciding to sit out the second half as a precaution.

“It's frustrating for (coach) Tom (Thibodeau) and his staff and us. We all want a healthy Derrick Rose,” Paxson said. “We want a healthy team. … It's most frustrating for Derrick, because he's the one dealing with his body and all that.”

Paxson said a number of people in the organization are helping make decisions on what's best for Rose's long-term health. When it comes to a hamstring strain or sprained ankle, though, only the player knows when he's well enough to play.

“We're all in this together.,” Paxson said. “Yes, Derrick has to play as do some of our other guys, but not to the point where we're overloading them.

“We feel like we've got a deep enough team. The reality in these situations, I think guys getting some minutes they normally wouldn't, that's going to help us down the road as well.”

The bottom line for the Bulls, in Paxson's mind, is it would be nice to have everyone healthy for all 82 games, but playing their best at playoff time is most important.

“This is why we feel we have to be patient and are still excited in the same breath.” he said. “We say to ourselves, 'Look, if we do get healthy and we find our stride and our rhythm, we have a very good basketball team.'”

Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) passes the ball against the defense of, from left, Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley, forward Jeff Green and guard Rajon Rondo in the first half of a basketball game in Boston, Friday, Nov. 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
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