Former NBA MVP Derrick Rose has played just 10 games in the last two years due to injuries to his knees. Currently out after surgery to repair a torn meniscus, the Chicago Bulls official word is that Rose is still rehabbing and will not play again for the Bulls this season, no matter how far the team goes in the playoffs.
With that as a background, it was surprising to hear that Tom Thibodeau told CSN Chicago that he wants Rose to play for Team USA this summer in preparation for the FIBA World Cup in Spain this August. Most NBA teams worry about their players being injured in these international appearances, and given the devastating loss that Rose’s injury has meant to Bulls playoff chances in each of the last three years, so the fact that Rose would seemingly be allowed to participate is odd.
Tom Thibodeau wants Derrick Rose to play for Team USA this Summer
Thibodeau, who is an assistant with Team USA, said he “absolutely” wants Rose to participate in the USA’s summer camp.
“I thought it was a great experience for him before,” Thibodeau said. “I know he’d like to do it. I know how USA basketball feels about him. If he’s cleared to do it, I’d love to see him do it.”
Thibodeau re-iterated that Rose would not be ready to come back this season.
“He’s doing fine,” Thibodeau said. “He’s doing a little more but he’s nowhere close to practicing. At this point, maybe he’ll go get a couple of practices at the end but we just want him to lock into rehab and make sure he’s 100 percent healthy.
“There’s a plan for him. It’s going to be step by step. When he masters one phase and we feel like it’s good enough, we’ll move onto the next. He’s moving along pretty much as planned, so we’ll see where he is in the summer.”
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