Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau says there’s a possibility that Derrick Rose could sit on the bench for Friday night’s Madison Square Garden showdown with the New York Knicks.
D. Rose has been travelling with the team of late but has largely remained out of sight, well, except for that one time in Miami.
Thibodeau told ESPN Chicago that the focus for Rose, even on the road, is continuing rehab, but noted his superstar could be more visible. And what better way to make an appearance than at “The World’s Most Famous Arena.”
"He could. He's still locked into doing some rehab stuff -- that's the primary focus. Whether he sits on the bench or not, he's here with us,” Thibodeau said.
“This has been the normal plan right from the start. Again, his whole focus is on his rehab, and then when he's ready to play or when he starts fully practicing, then he'll probably be more on the bench. But as long as he can get that extra work in I'd rather have him doing that.”
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Rose was said to be in good spirits as he took the court with his teammates and continues to ramp up his activity in practice, but Thibs, true to form, still wants everyone locked in and focused on the task at hand, Rose included.
"With our team, I want them to focus on our opponent and our improvement, and with Derrick, I want him concentrating on his rehab. In the past month it's been shifted more to not only the rehab, but getting acclimated to the basketball stuff again … so he's doing both, he's doing well and at some point he'll rejoin us."
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