Derrick Rose was the target of some criticism after he said Tuesday that he thinks about life after basketball when determining if he will play following injuries, but the Chicago Bulls point guard is apparently unfazed by his critics.
When asked if he understood why people were upset by his remarks, Rose responded with a simple, “No.”
“But I could care less,” he said.
Rose said earlier this week that he was thinking about his long-term health as he decides whether to play following his recent battle with injuries.
“When I sit out it's not because of this year,” he said Tuesday. “"I'm thinking about long term. I'm thinking about after I'm done with basketball. Having graduations to go to, having meetings to go to, I don't want to be in my meetings all sore or be at my son's graduation all sore just because of something I did in the past. [I'm] just learning and being smart."
The remarks left some questioning whether Rose was fully committed to his team.
On Thursday, Rose addressed his comments.
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“Really, I was just being myself,” he said. “As long as I’m being myself, that’s the only person I can be, and that’s about it. But as far as saying anything, blame me for thinking about the future, I’ll probably think different, but that’s all I was doing.”
Rose, who has already missed four games this season with two sprained ankles, had a reality check on his basketball career over the last few seasons after suffering two major knee injuries. He says those injuries have given him a new perspective.
“Just letting me know what’s real,” he said. “As long as I’m being myself and inspiring people the way that I am and touching people the way that I am, that’s all I can do—caring about myself and just being positive.”
