Derrick Rose has reportedly began participating in non-contact practice drills, creating speculations that the Chicago Bulls superstar could be on track to return in the playoffs.
Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters on Wednesday that Rose has been moving very well as of late, but the veteran coach remained firm on his previous stance, insisting that the 25-year-old superstar is indeed out for the remainder of the season.
"He's moving along fine," Thibodeau said of Rose, via Chicago Tribune. "He has picked it up a little bit. But there's still no contact. He's out for the year, but he's doing well."
Thibodeau also revealed that Rose made some progress since last week, but he quickly added that Rose might be limited to non-contact drills for the rest of the season, throwing out speculations that he could also participate in full practice before the end of the season.
"Last week, he was doing parts of the non-contact," Thibodeau said. "You know, we're not practicing real long this time of the year. Now all the non-contact stuff he's doing."
Rose, who missed the entire 2012-13 NBA season after sustaining an ACL injury in the first round of the 2012 playoffs, absorbed a major setback just in his 10th game this season.
Just as when he is already becoming more confident with his surgically-repaired left knee, Rose tore a meniscus in his right knee in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on November 22, which required a surgery three days after sustaining the injury.
But despite the recent setback, Rose, who averaged 15.9 points to go along with 4.3 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 10 games this season, is still in good spirits, according to teammate Taj Gibson.
"He's upbeat, in a real good place mentally," Gibson said of Rose.
Now that Rose is making progress in his recovery, the former Most Valuable Player could be on target to play for Team USA this summer when they compete in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in September in Spain.
Previous reports indicated that Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski is expecting Rose to play for the national team this summer, but added that Rose's participation depends on how his knee will hold up in training camp.
