Derrick Rose has been doing great in his recovery from a second major knee injury with reports indicating that the Chicago Bulls superstar has started running on his own.
In an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau revealed that Rose is already off the anti-gravity treadmill, but quickly added that the former Most Valuable Player is nowhere near practicing.
"He's doing some running, yeah," Thibodeau said. "So he's off the anti-gravity treadmill. Still on it at times, but he's full-weight now and doing lateral slides and things like that. But he's nowhere near practicing or anything like that. Doing a little bit more. He's moving along, but nowhere close to practice."
Rose, who sustained a torn meniscus in his right knee in his 10th game from a long layoff due to an ACL injury in his left knee, previously said that he would think about returning if he is already out of the anti-gravity treadmill.
But despite the fact that Rose is now running on his own, the Bulls look set to sit out for the rest of the season. Aside from Thibodeau, general manager Gar Forman also sounded pessimistic when asked about a possible return this season for Rose.
"We're still working on the premise that he's out for the year," Forman said. "Everything with his rehab is on schedule, and he's doing well. But that's the premise we're working under."
Previous reports indicated that Rose is planning to return if the Bulls advance to the playoffs this season. But the timetable was pushed further with Rose saying that he could possibly make his return in July - not with the Bulls but with the USA Basketball squad.
"Yeah, for sure," said Rose on playing for Team USA. "If my leg is feeling healthy and I'm there, I'm all in. Of course, I want to play for that team. Playing for that team helped the year I won MVP, just getting in a groove. So I'm excited if I am able to play in it."
Rose, who averaged 15.9 points and 4.3 rebounds in 10 games this season, was named to USA Basketball's pool for the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.
