April 01--MILWAUKEE -- Derrick Rose said strength in his right knee and conditioning are the last things he needs to develop before returning to action but wouldn't commit to a return date.
Rose scrimmaged Monday and Tuesday in his first contact since having a small piece of his right meniscus removed Feb. 27. The Bulls estimated Rose would return in four to six weeks. Friday is five weeks since the procedure.
Rose said he was pleased with how he felt in both scrimmages and that he was able to get to where he wanted to on the court.
"I know it's a process. But I'm along for this ride," he said. "I was able to get to the spots. It's just making shots and getting the wind to actually run up and down. That's the hardest thing. But as far as playing a game or come back full strength and all that, that's going to come. My rhythm of the game will come. It just takes being out there and actually playing."
Asked if the back-to-back contact sessions brought clarity to his return date, Rose said he hadn't "even thought about it. Just been worrying about rehab."
Rose said strength in his knee is there but he "needs a little bit more time" to develop more. Rose said the same regarding his conditioning.
"That's the last thing that I'm missing I would say, my wind. But that comes with not playing," Rose said. "That comes with running around and just doing rehab and doing isolation stuff. Just got to move around a little bit more."
Doug McDermott underwent a similar procedure in December and landed on the active roster five weeks and two days after his surgery. Sunday's high-profile game in Cleveland would be five weeks and two days since Rose's procedure.
Asked if he will make a regular-season appearance, Rose said: "Who knows?"
Privately, though, Rose has expressed confidence in a return. Coach Tom Thibodeau said the Bulls wouldn't alter their practice schedule to get more reps for Rose.
"If we get to that point we'll bring in some of the younger guys to do that, but we've got to make sure that we're pacing the team properly," Thibodeau said.
Thibodeau remained encouraged by Rose's progress.
"He's just building," he said. "He just needs a little time, but each day is better and better. It's a process he has to go through. He's got to get through some practices first, and then when he's good with that we'll go to the next step after that."
And what is the next step?
"Playing," Thibodeau said.
