Bulls TV:
Now outside of a few media gatherings and Adidas ads, we hadn't heard much from you since the injury occurred, why was that?
Derrick Rose:
I didn't want to do anything, to tell you the truth. I didn't want to talk to anyone, I just wanted to rebuild my leg and be around my son. That was a time where, me having a son, is huge for me. It was real big. My father was never in my life, so he's first now with anything.
Bulls TV:
After many interview requests, why Bulls TV?
Rose:
I chose Bulls TV cause it's more like family. Where I think if I'm doing anything first, why not start with the people that you grew up with, the people that trust and believe in you. Not saying that everyone don't, but it's home-grown. Why not start with the Bulls?
Bulls TV:
For the first time, you missed a complete season of basketball. How was it dealing with it mentally?
Rose:
It was hard. One of the hardest things I've had to go through in my life. After surgery, when you start running, when you have an injury like this it stages that you have to go through. I'm still going through my stages, I'm not done yet. But this is the most I've ever worked on my craft and the most focused I've ever been in my NBA career. I'm not a selfish guy at all, but having this injury, going through what I had to go through and being smart... It's something I had to be selfish with. I couldn't worry about anyone else but myself and my health.
Bulls TV:
Many were speculating that you *did* look dominant in practice. Explain to us the difference between being practice ready and NBA game ready.
Rose:
When you're in practice, of course it's not like game-like speed unless it's training camp. Game-like experience is totally different. Where you got strategies, this and that. Double teams, when I play I get double teamed a lot. We play the same defense we play in the game so it wasn't even that much double team. So, I was able to go around, roam around freely. In a game, I wasn't able to take on that double team yet. Every day I was working out like my leg was going to feel better. I was pushing myself every day. Eating right, just trying to take care of my body so that I could be out there as soon as possible but... it didn't happen.
Bulls TV:
How impressed were you with how the season wound up?
Rose:
I was very very impressed with them. They seemed like they were fighting for me. They saw how hard I was working in practice, just trying to rebuild my leg. All my teammates that were going through injuries they'd tell me not to rush back just because they were going through stuff. Just to hear them say that, they knew that I was trying to get back on the court as quickly as possible; they made a good run at it. They were playing, I was telling them certain things that I saw, if they didn't see it or if I was just working with 'em, just to show 'em that I really cared about the team. And like I said, they fought for me.
Bulls TV:
Tell us about your relationship with Tom Thibodeau, how often do you communicate, what is that like on a day-to-day basis?
Rose:
With Thibs, we're super cool right now. We talk at least a couple times a week. I missed his call a couple times, he hates when I do that. I missed his calls a couple times, I gotta call him back. But, he's someone that loves the game as much as me, and that's pretty hard. If you love basketball as much as I do, I've gotta take my hat off to you.
Bulls TV:
Any personal goals for next season?
Rose:
There's only one goal; and that's to win a championship.
Bulls TV:
What do you want to tell your fans, what have you wanted to say to them for the last year and a half?
Derrick:
Me saying it is something totally different. I think me going on the court and showing them, to let them know that it was the right decision.
