ORLANDO, Fla. _ What seemed like a difficult dilemma for Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue on how to integrate Derrick Rose when he returns from a sprained left ankle might have been solved by Dwyane Wade's upcoming 36th birthday.
Wade has sat out three games this season, two of those on the second night of back-to-back games. The future Hall of Famer spoke last month about how more "vet days" might be needed for him to remain in peak condition for the postseason.
Little did Wade know then that "vet days" would also mean help from another vet.
Rose, in his ninth season, continues to improve and Lue didn't rule out the possibility that the 2011 league Most Valuable Player could play on the Cavs' current five-city road trip that makes stop two Saturday night in Orlando, although it won't be against the Magic.
Lue said Friday that when point guard Rose comes back he will spell Wade, who has excelled as the leader of the Cavs' second unit.
"Playing D-Wade on a lot of back-to-backs has been tough for him," Lue said after practice at the Orlando Volleyball Academy. "Some games he doesn't feel great, but we don't really have the extra ball-handler to sit him. So when D-Rose gets back, he'll definitely help with that and help with D-Wade getting his rest and being able to feel good on the floor."
In four of the five games Wade has played for the Cavaliers on the second night of back-to-back games, his plus-minus rating has been negative or zero. In those five games, his combined rating has been -5, skewed by a plus-15 on Dec. 9 against the Philadelphia 76ers. The issue was evident Wednesday night at Boston, when Wade followed up a 15-point, eight-rebound, three-assist performance at home against the Portland Trail Blazers by totaling five points and two rebounds in 23 minutes and shooting 2-of-10 from the field against the Celtics.
Lue said he already discussed the plan with Wade, whose birthday is Jan. 17.
"Fifty years old, so, sometimes you just don't have it," Lue joked of Wade. "But with all the guys being out, just don't have the luxury right now. We talked about it. He understands and he's for it."
The Cavs are also missing Iman Shumpert, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Dec. 1 and was projected to miss up to two months. Shumpert has also played some point guard due to the Cavs' injury issues.
Rose is also on board with the idea of him helping rest Wade.
"It's whatever they want. I'm not trying to be a distraction to the team or anything like that," Rose said. "I'm here to be a professional about any situation I get put into and to own up to it and be a man about it. I just want to win. No matter how many minutes I'm playing, I'm not a stat guy. I did all that in the past, now it's time for me to win a championship."
Rose has played only seven games due to the ankle injury suffered in Game 2 at Milwaukee, the problem complicated by a bone spur. He initially missed four games, then returned too soon, last playing on Nov. 7. Frustration over the rash of injuries that have plagued his career since 2012 prompted him to leave the team for a time.
"I feel like I can fit anywhere," Rose said. "I just want to be a part of the team. I could be the equipment guy here, it really doesn't matter, I just want to be a part of it. Like I said early on and when I did an interview with the Warriors, I want to be in the heat of the moment, I want to feel it. I want to play games, too, play as many games as possible, but it's going to take time."
Lue has no timetable for when Rose will play, but noted his workouts "have been going well."
"He had a great workout the other night," Lue said.
Rose said his body feels good. He's running and doing conditioning and floor work every day, with rehab every other day.
"It's coming along pretty well. Thank God I don't have to worry about surgery," Rose said.
"I haven't had any pain, that's good, knock on wood on that. I haven't had any setbacks. If anything, I've been progressing every day and every week, so I'm on the right track.
"I'm getting the most out of all my days and just appreciating and taking in the position I'm in right now. I'm on a great team, no point in rushing back too soon."
