April 05--Derrick Rose left no doubt about his status for the Chicago Bulls' game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night at FedExForum.
"I'm playing tonight," Rose said following the morning shootaround.
The guard had been officially listed as questionable with a left elbow contusion and missed the Bulls' previous two games. But after going through the shootaround, Rose said his elbow "feels a lot better."
"While I was out here shooting it felt like I was myself," Rose added. "It's all about being smart. I think I know my body more than anybody as far as what I went through and all the injuries I've had to overcome. I think I played it smart."
Rose doesn't believe he will be limited against the Grizzlies in a game the Bulls desperately need to win to keep their postseason hopes alive.
"I just didn't want to come back where (if) I was to get hit, or something was to happen while I was out there like it is -- getting bumped and stuff that -- I wasn't back at zero," Rose said. "I just want to get past that point. I think I'm past it."
The Bulls will enter the game two games behind both the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons for the No. 8 spot in the Eastern Conference. Coach Fred Hoiberg said it is critical to have Rose in the lineup.
"Derrick just gives you a dimension out there on the floor that we wouldn't otherwise have, with him being able to really get downhill and get into the paint and get in there and make the right decision as far as going in to finish or kick out to our shooters," Hoiberg said. "He's one of the few guys on the team that can break down a defense and get into the paint where good things happen."
It will mark Rose's first appearance in Memphis since Jan. 17, 2011 when he recorded the first triple-double of his career during a 96-84 victory over the Grizzlies. Returning to Memphis is also a bit of a homecoming for Rose, who led the University of Memphis to the NCAA championship game in 2008. That season was later vacated by the NCAA because of a grading controversy and Rose was retroactively declared ineligible. Rose decided to forgo his final three seasons and was eventually selected by the Bulls with the No. 1 overall pick in the '08 draft.
"Even though the records say I didn't play here, it feels good just coming back here and being in this environment and being in this city," Rose said. "It makes me feel a little bit bad about coming into the league because I miss college so much being around my teammates. But I had to make the decision for my family."
Meanwhile, the Bulls will likely be without forward Taj Gibson, who is battling a rib contusion.
"Taj is still very sore," Hoiberg said. "He's going to come out and shoot (Tuesday night) and see how he's doing but I would say he's doubtful."
Guard E'Twaun Moore is a gametime decision with a hamstring issue.
