Bulls' Rose gets fast start on rehab
One day after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, Derrick Rose began his rehab Saturday at the Advocate Center.
How long it takes him to get back on the court remains to be seen, but the Bulls are feeling optimistic. Rose is expected to miss 4-6 weeks, which would have him back before the end of the regular season.
"You're talking a day after surgery," coach Tom Thibodeau said following a light practice. "It's just the initial steps. We're cautiously optimistic. He's in good spirits. He's on it, so it's good."
Rose did not speak to reporters Saturday, so it's not clear what he did on the first day of rehab. Bulls general manager Gar Forman said Rose should be able to resume basketball activities, such as shooting, next week.
"It's mapped out with the medical people," Thibodeau said. "The one thing about Derrick, he's been through a few of them. He'll follow the plan. Hopefully everything goes fine."
This was Rose's third knee surgery in less than three years. The first one, a torn ACL in his left knee, was the most serious. Last season he suffered torn medial meniscus cartilage in his right knee, which was repaired. This time team doctor Brian Cole shaved off a loose piece of cartilage in Rose's right knee.
The Bulls are 1-1 since Rose left the lineup, losing to Charlotte, then beating Minnesota. The task gets tougher this week. The Bulls host the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday afternoon. Their seven-game homestand concludes with Washington and Oklahoma City on Tuesday and Thursday.
"Of course, it's been very emotional, a lot of ups and downs," Joakim Noah said after the 96-89 win over the Timberwolves. "It's definitely tough, but the games keep coming and nobody feels sorry for us. Just hearing from Derrick, he's in good spirits and he's fighting through and that's always a good feeling to know he's handling it well."
The Bulls most likely will play without Taj Gibson on Sunday. He suffered a sprained left ankle in the first quarter against Minnesota. It's an injury that has bothered Gibson off and on all season. He wasn't putting any weight on the ankle in the locker room Friday, so it seems likely he will be out a few games.
"He's still sore, pretty sure," Thibodeau said. "I would say doubtful (for Sunday)."
Pau Gasol didn't play against Minnesota because of an illness, but he was at the Advocate Center on Saturday and seems on pace to play against the Clippers. Gibson's injury figures to be an opportunity for rookie forward Nikola Mirotic. Veteran center Nazr Mohammad joined the rotation against the Timberwolves.
Against Chris Paul and the Clippers, the Bulls will need a better performance from point guard Aaron Brooks. In the last two games, starting in place of Rose, Brooks has hit just 6 of 27 shots from the field. Overall this season Brooks ranks ninth in the NBA in 3-point percentage at .420.
"We know who Aaron is. He's got a great track record," Thibodeau said. "He's had a terrific season for us. He'll bounce back. As long as he's taking the right shots, I don't want him hesitating. When he's aggressive and he's shooting his shots, he's hard to guard.
"I want him to be who he is. I don't want him to try to be something he's not."
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Bulls game day
Los Angeles Clippers at the United Center, noon
TV: ABC
Radio: ESPN 1000-AM
Outlook: The Clippers have gone 5-3 with PF Blake Griffin sidelined by an elbow injury, but they pulled off an impressive 97-79 win Friday at Memphis. SG Jamal Crawford has come alive, averaging 20.3 points over the last 10 games. On the season, PG Chris Paul is the team's second-leading scorer, behind Griffin, with 17.9 points and 9.9 assists. C DeAndre Jordan leads the NBA with 14.2 rebounds and is third in blocks with 2.3 per game. Back on Nov. 17, the Bulls beat the Clippers in L.A. 105-89 without Derrick Rose or Pau Gasol. The Clippers have won four straight games in Chicago.
Next: Washington Wizards at the United Center, 7 p.m. Tuesday
- Mike McGraw