Even though he hasn’t played all season, the Bulls haven’t closed the door on Derrick Rose returning sometime during the playoffs.
In an interview on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” yesterday, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau refused to rule out the possibility Rose could return to face the Nets sometime during the first-round series between the teams, which tips off tomorrow night in Brooklyn.
“The thing is, he hasn’t played all season,” Thibodeau said. “So he’s doing well overall, [but] he’s not quite ready. But there’s always a possibility.
“He’s focused on his rehab and the guys that we do have available have to focus in on our opponent and being ready to play.”
Rose tore his ACL in his left knee in Game 1 of last year’s first-round series with the 76ers, one the Bulls eventually lost in six games. The 2011 MVP’s possible return has been a constant topic of conversation in the Windy City since Rose returned to practicing with his teammates midway through the season.
But despite being seen often going through a rigorous pregame workout over the past few weeks, Rose has yet to step onto the court for live game action this season.
“We knew this would be extended with Derrick from the summer,” Thibodeau said. “And you don’t replace a guy like Derrick individually. We understood that we would have to do it collectively, and that’s the way we have approached it.
“He’s been practicing with us for a good part of the season, so I don’t think it would be a big adjustment at all [if he came back]. Whatever he could bring would be a huge asset for our team.”
The Nets are preparing with the possibility in mind that Rose could return.
“If he plays, he plays, and if not, he doesn’t,” Nets interim coach P.J. Carlesimo said. “He’s like any injured guy. We’re not gonna do anything differently.”
➤ The Nets have been playing a fairly consistent 10-man rotation all season. Nevertheless, Carlesimo said that number likely will shrink by at least one during the playoffs.
“No, I think it will probably be more nine than 10, but we’ll see,” he said.
With the Nets having a set starting five of Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace, Reggie Evans and Brook Lopez, along with almost certain options off the bench in C.J. Watson and Andray Blatche, that means some combination of Keith Bogans, Kris Humphries and Jerry Stackhouse likely will round out the rotation, with second-year guard MarShon Brooks also a possibility.
But Carlesimo made it clear, outside of the team’s big guns, playing time won’t be guaranteed.
“What will dictate our rotation is how our guys play,” Carlesimo said. “If guys are playing well, they’re gonna play.
“There’s three or four guys who you know who they are and how many minutes they’re going to play. After that, it’s who is performing.”