Derrick Rose vowed to become a better leader when he returns to action for the Chicago Bulls in the 2014-15 NBA season following his upcoming stint with Team USA in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Rose, who has only played in 10 games over the past two season after suffering from two serious knee injuries, said in an interview that he will make a conscious effort to become a better teammate on and off the floor next season.
"For me, this is my chance to actually become a better leader," Rose said via ESPN. "Being more vocal in the locker room. Being more vocal on the floor. It's a huge journey for me. I'm not trying to shy away from it. I think it's going to help me with the Bulls next season, and it's going to help me have a better relationship with my teammates."
The 25-year-old superstar added that his confidence is high at this point despite sustaining two major knee injuries over the past two years - a torn ACL in his left knee he sustained during the first game of the 2012 NBA Playoffs and a torn meniscus in his right knee last season.
Rose admitted, though, that his game will be totally different when he return to the court for the Bulls in the upcoming season, saying that he will always let the game come to him without forcing things.
Bulls coach Tim Thibodeau, who is also one of the assistant coaches of Team USA, noticed the change in Rose's approach to the game, and he believes that it will be beneficial for the Bulls in the long run.
"I think he's improving," Thibodeau said of Rose. "I think his approach is a lot better. I think he was so anxious last year to come back, he was almost forcing things. I think he has a much better understanding now. Show more patience, find the rhythm of the game, go out there run the team. What he's done a very good job of is shooting when he should shoot. He's passing when he should pass."
Rose, who averaged 15.9 points to go along with 4.3 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 10 games with the Bulls last season, is expected to make Team USA's final roster for the upcoming FIBA World Cup in Spain.
