March 01--Derrick Rose participated in most of the morning shootaround and said he's returning Tuesday night from missing three games with right hamstring tendinitis.
It's a welcome development for the Bulls, who open a back-to-back against the Heat while in danger of falling out of the playoff picture.
"I just have to remember while I'm out there it's a process. The way I was playing before I sat out, that's the way I want to play," Rose said. "But it's all about building and getting back to that point."
Indeed, Rose was enjoying his best stretch before suffering his latest mini-setback, averaging 21.9 points and 6 assists in February.
Rose said he's not frustrated by his latest speed bump.
"I just have to deal with reality. The reality is I had surgery. I had injuries. This is something I have to live with and play through," he said. "Try to get on the court as quick as possible. I'm anxious actually with the way I've been playing before I sat out. It's all about trying to build back to that point."
Rose, who has endured three knee surgeries, has made clear all season that he's taking a conservative approach to injuries. He has opted for the big picture rather than trying to play through pain.
"It's all a learning experience. The last few times when I was injured, I was just trying to push. This time when I came back, I think my mental was different where I know it's a process and where I want to be at the end of the year as far as the team and myself individually," Rose said. "It takes patience. You drive yourself crazy if you really think about it. But I'm good. I'm at peace with myself and I know that I'm rebuilding.
"I got over that like two years ago. I love where I'm at. Of course I would want the team to be in a better place as far as positioning in the playoffs. But this is the bed that we made. We have to play hard and make this push for the playoffs."
Coach Fred Hoiberg, whose team will still be without Jimmy Butler and Nikola Mirotic, said Rose won't be on an official minutes restriction but will be monitored closely and could play more limited minutes as he tries to regain game conditioning. He knows what Rose brings.
"He obviously gives us a downhill presence out there, which we haven't had the last couple games," Hoiberg said. "We've had good movement. But it's been more with cutting and moving as opposed to driving the ball to the rim. That's what Derrick gives this team."
