Derrick Rose Practiced With Teammates for the First Time Since Knee Surgery


Chicago Bulls superstar point guard Derrick Rose continues to make encouraging progress on his surgically-repaired left knee. He was able to take part in the light portion on a team practice yesterday, and head coach Tom Thibodeau hopes he’ll be able to play in the second half of the season. Per the Chicago Sun-Times and ESPN: “Though news of Derrick Rose’s progress may come at a slow drip, by now enough has drizzled out of the Berto Center to indicate his return to Bulls practice could be near. After Thursday’s session, coach Tom Thibodeau revealed that Rose had participated in the non-contact portion of practice. Previously he had only participated in what Thibodeau deemed ‘pre-practice’ activity and individual shooting drills afterward. Thibodeau cautioned that Rose is still rehabbing from surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament last May. But it appears his reintegration is in full effect. […] ‘He’s right on schedule,’ Thibodeau said. ‘He’s not ahead of schedule. He’s not behind. We have to be patient. It’s the type of injury that you have to take your time with, and when he’s ready to come back, he’ll be ready to come back. There is no time scheduled for it.’ Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf has said he won’t allow Rose to return until he’s 100 percent. ‘He’s doing a lot, but he hasn’t done anything with contact,’ Thibodeau said. ‘So we’re going to go step by step. First he has to get into practice and he has to practice well for a while. And then we’ll move on from there. Hopefully at some point during the second half of the season he’ll rejoin us.’ Even with Rose out, the Bulls (14-10) have maintained the lead in the Central Division.”