Derrick Rose is nowhere near to returning this season, but Russell Westbrook believes that the Chicago Bulls superstar will get his old form back once he makes his comeback.
Westbrook, who has been working out with Rose for the past several years during season breaks, told reporters on Monday that he is confident his fellow superstar will return strong from his second-straight knee injury.
"I've talked to him numerous times," Westbrook said, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. "He's a tough guy. He does a good job of coming out competing. It's unfortunate he had to be hurt and out another year, but he's going to come back the same D-Rose he was before."
Rose missed the entire 2012-13 NBA season after sustaining an ACL tear in his left knee during game one of their 2012 Playoff showdown with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The 25-year-old point guard returned to action earlier this season, but his return from a long layoff was cut short after sustaining another knee injury.
Rose sustained a torn meniscus in his right knee just in his 10th game this season. He underwent surgery in November, which could potentially be another season-ending surgery if Bulls executives are to be believed.
Westbrook suffered the same fate last season when he tore his lateral meniscus during last season's playoff, forcing him to miss the Oklahoma City Thunder's post-season run.
Westbrook has played in 36 games this season, averaging 21.4 points to go along with 7.2 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game. The 25-year-old point guard said that being confident helped him get back on track quickly this season.
"Just being confident. You have to have confidence in yourself and health and knowing the rehab and all the work you put in has paid off," Westbrook said.
Rose has yet to give a timetable for a possible return this season, but Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau and general manager Gar Forman previously said that Rose won't return this season even if the Bulls go deep into the playoffs.
The most likely scenario is a return this summer - not with the Bulls, but with the USA Basketball Team that will compete in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in September in Spain.
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