Rose practices for the first time in weeks; now he wants to play
If Derrick Rose can survive three minutes on the basketball court against supermodel Marisa Miller without aggravating his right ankle injury, he must be ready for the regular season.
Well, OK, more evidence is required. But the news was all positive for Rose on Thursday.
First, he joined in the first 40 minutes of Bulls practice at the Berto Center - something he hasn't done since the injury occurred during the Oct. 2 preseason opener at Indiana.
Then Rose was officially nominated as one of Chicago's sexiest athletes, accepting a No. 1 Bulls jersey with "sexy" written on the back from Miller.
The contest and Miller's appearance were to promote the opening of a Victoria's Secret store on Michigan Avenue. Rose said he and teammate Taj Gibson attended a party at the store on Wednesday evening.
"It's fun," Rose said. "I'm young, living it up right now; just trying to do everything right, keep it positive."
On Thursday, Rose lived it up by joining his Bulls teammates on the practice floor. He participated in a drill where they move up and down the court, calling out and executing about 16 plays. Then he stayed late for some extra long-range shooting.
"I was kind of mad they took me off (the floor) early," Rose said. "I felt way better. I could have practiced the whole practice, but they told me they don't want me sore tomorrow, so I practiced for like 30 or 40 minutes then they took me right off.
"(Wednesday) I ran a little bit. When I woke up this morning, it wasn't that sore and I told them I wanted to practice. At first, they told me not to practice and just run. But I told them I wanted to get out there. I didn't get hurt. It felt good."
At his next bargaining session with the team's medical staff, Rose plans to plead for a little court time in Friday's preseason finale against Washington at the United Center. That seems unlikely to happen, though.
"I asked them if could I get some minutes, at least one or two or something, just get the feel for the game," Rose said. "They said they'll see. They say if I get injured during that game, I wouldn't be able to play Thursday for the (season) opener, so they're real concerned with my injury."
The Bulls will likely be even more short-handed at guard against the Wizards. Jannero Pargo (sore hip) and Kirk Hinrich (hyperextended elbow) both skipped Thursday's practice and it sounds like coach Vinny Del Negro wouldn't mind sitting them out on Friday.
Veteran Lindsey Hunter, 38, might get some extended playing time. Swingman Derrick Byars, who hyperextended his left knee on Monday, was able to practice on Thursday and should be available to play against the Wizards.
"Lindsey might have to get the rust off a little bit and get some WD-40 and loosen him up a little bit to get him out there," Del Negro said. "We'll just play it by ear. I want to look at the big picture and make sure we have some good practices next week and get ready for our tough opening week."