Rose undergoes startling metamorphosis

MILWAUKEE - There's really no way to enforce a minutes limit during a double-overtime playoff game. The day after logging 48 minutes in Game 3 at Milwaukee, Derrick Rose had no complaints.

"I feel good. I feel normal, so I'm fine," he said following a film session at the team's hotel.

Rose looked very much like his old self Thursday. He hit big shots, drove to the basket as if defenders were playing freeze tag and also drained 5 of 9 shots from 3-point range.

"I never want to put a limit on myself, so who knows?" Rose said. "I think we have something special."

When reporters mentioned how well he played, Rose countered by remembering how much work went into recovering from three knee surgeries. Now at age 26, Rose is trying to take care of his body like a 15-year veteran.

"It's mind-blowing. Some of the things I do, I never thought I'd be doing," he said. "The things I'm doing right now are things that Mike Dunleavy or Nazr (Mohammed) do or guys who played a numerous amount of years in the NBA, that really take care of their body, as far as hydration, diet.

"It's just eating well, sleeping, stretching, little things like that. ... That young, reckless player you saw years ago, he's not there anymore."

Rose also acknowledged being more vocal and emotional on the court these days, compared to his stoic, MVP season of 2010-11.

"It's just (that) my mentality changed a little bit to try to become a better leader for this team," he said. "(I'm) just trying to step into that role of leading my teammates."

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau offered thoughtful praise for Rose on Friday.

"The challenge is not only bringing the best out in himself, but also to bring the best out in his teammates and he's probably doing that as well as he ever has," Thibodeau said. "Derrick has had to navigate through some adversity. I think it's made him a lot stronger mentally."

Gasol hopes end is near:

Pau Gasol talked about the challenge of coming back on a short rest from an emotional, double-overtime game like the Bulls played Thursday.

"It's easier if you won the game, I can tell you that," Gasol said. "I'm sure it will be harder for the other side. Again, we just have to take advantage of the momentum we have going on and the opportunity to close a team out on their home floor.

"We have to make sure we're sharp tomorrow and ready to do what it takes. We have the opportunity to close them out, so we should take advantage of it and not give them any hope, any life."

Mirotic improving:

Coach Tom Thibodeau said rookie Nikola Mirotic continues to show progress from a left knee injury. He didn't play in Game 3.

Thibodeau wouldn't give a status report, but it seems likely Mirotic will not play in Saturday's Game 4.

"He's going over to shoot," Thibodeau said Friday afternoon. "He has not done any running yet."