The Chicago Tribune reports in a mailbag with Bulls reporter K.C. Johnson that Derrick Rose has had no setbacks, is set to join Team USA for mini-camp before the World Cup, and that if the season started today, he would play.
Don’t get me wrong: I’m thankful for the lack of daily updates on Derrick Rose’s rehab. But it’s been some time since we’ve heard now how it’s going. Is he still scheduled to participate in the Team USA activities? — Milt, Sawyer, Mich.
As previously reported, Rose began taking full contact in the form of one-on-one or two-on-two or three-on-three offday sessions late in the first-round series against the Wizards. Rose has had no setbacks and, if the season started tomorrow, would be fine to play. He remains on schedule to participate in the Team USA minicamp in Las Vegas at the end of July and hopes to make the World Cup team that will compete in Spain in late August through early September.
Rose injured his knee in November and missed a second full season in a row. He hasn’t played a full season since 2012, and even then missed time. But his meniscus injury was less severe than the torn ACL he suffered in the playoffs two years ago.His participation in Team USA minicamp is a little concerning. Is he ready for that level of competition? Isn’t that deep water to drop into? And what does it say if Team USA looks at him, having not played competitive baskeball consistently for two years, and thinks he’s not fit to be on the team? There are some serious questions about Rose set to be answered. He thinks he’s ready, the Bulls think he’s ready.But is he ready?