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Thu, Feb 14th 2013, 10:45

Derrick Rose: From agony of injury to joy of fatherhood

Everybody, Chicago Bulls general manager Gar Forman says, wants to know when All-Star point guard Derrick Rose will return. “We would like to know the exact date,” Forman says.

The return date remains a mystery to Rose, who hasn’t played a game since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee last April in the opener of the 2012 NBA playoffs.

“I’m not coming back until I’m 110%,” he says. “Who knows when that can be?”

It tugs on Rose, who revealed his emotions in a wide-ranging interview with USA TODAY Sports, his first since the season began. As it concluded, the new father said, “It’s great (to) get that off my chest.”

It had been confined inside him, for the most part, the impact of that devastating injury. “That’s a day I don’t want to remember,” he said.

What Rose recalls in excruciating detail is the pain after the May 12 surgery: holes drilled in the tibia and femur, replacing the torn ACL with a piece of the patellar tendon.

“My health was terrible, where I wasn’t eating,” Rose said. “They put me on medication. And when you’re not eating and taking the kind of medication they gave me, it can mess up your body. It messed me up for like a week where I was throwing up consistently every day.

“I couldn’t walk. I was in pain. My hamstrings were on fire. They had to block the nerve in my leg, so when that nerve block wore off, the pain came. It felt like someone was hitting my hamstrings with a sledgehammer.”

The humble star became even more humble and more appreciative of those around him, such as his mother, Brenda, and his brothers, Dwayne, Reggie and Allan.

“With that injury, you can’t walk. You need help,” Rose said. “Knowing that, it’s all right for someone that loves you to take care of you.

“I’m a loner. I’m used to do everything myself. For someone to help me out in a physical way, it was different. Helping me up out of the bed. That was something I could easily do. But everything changed then.”

What helped Rose in his rehab was another life-changing event, the birth of Derrick Rose Jr. last Oct. 9. The son also goes by Pooh, Rose’s lifelong nickname. Pooh Jr. They call him P.J.

“It’s great. Everything else doesn’t matter. He’s first,” Rose said.

“Everything stopped when he was born. I try to spoil him as much as possible, not only with material stuff, but just being around him with love and support, letting him know that I will always be there.

“He can recognize me now where he can tell when I’m around,” Rose said. “It’s just been great. You just learn so much. It seems like everything slows down for you in your life. Priorities are everything.”

REHAB GOES SLOWLY

He keeps that in mind as he attacks his rehab and tries to remain patient about when he can join the Bulls, who are 30-21, in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, just a 1/2 game behind the Indiana Pacers.

“It can be within a couple of weeks. It could be next year. It could be any day. It could be any time,” Rose said. “It’s just that I’m not coming back until I’m ready. With all the hard work I’ve been putting into my craft, I think I’m going to be OK.”

And yet, if he isn’t playing until he’s “110%,” how close is he?

“Right now, probably in the high 80s,” he said. “Far away. Far away.”

Feeling conflicted was one of many themes the normally quiet and reserved Rose spoke of, such as fatherhood, his intensive rehabilitation, the Bulls’ season without him and what he expects when he returns.

The rehabilitation was a slow process, requiring the patience Rose never needed, for the lifestyle changes in the gym and at home.

“I used to complain to the trainers a lot,” Rose said. “But it wasn’t the type of complaining where I was irritated. ... I complained, but I did my work.”

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Comments

Roger Smith | on 1/3/13

Hey bro i just wanna say I have followed you since high school from KC. Man yu were explosive back then but when you made it to the NBA and showed yo A**. SMH I know your going to be outstanding when you step back on the court.I mean YOUR D. ROSE the onli person in the NBA that has gotten MVP over LeBron James. By just saying that you are the best this injury isn’t gone stop you. So pick ya head up f*** what the reporters say about you need to come back. You come when you ready us fans yo city our team. Man we gone hold it down for you so when you come back its gone b like you never left watch.

Vicent acosta | on 1/3/13

Hope you get better , so you can win another MVP

Vicent | on 1/3/13

Derrick Rose I’m a huge fan and I just wanted to let you know that I hope you come back soon.

Yahya Mohamed | on 28/2/13

OMG. Derrick Rose please send me an email. I am a #1 fan , Chicago Bulls All the way. I am interested why did you name your son Derrick Rose Jr.? Don’t you think when he gets older that people will treat him differrently? Now that he has YOUR name?

Enter your name... | on 28/2/13

i hope you get better Mr.Rose

matthew | on 27/2/13

hi mr.rose. im a huge fan and hope to see you on the court sometime this season. and congrats on lil pj, hope you make it back soon and prosper as a basketball player.if it wasnt for me just flicking through the channels one late fridaynight and turning on high school basketball to see simeon academy, i would have never seen you play. yes i followed you since highschool and hope to continue. best PG in nba and 20000000000000000 times better than rondo or westbrook. goodluck and hope to watch you soon

Mielcar Junior | on 26/2/13

Hi Derrick! I’m your fan from Poland. I love basketball but I tore ligament in knee like you. I had a surgery 4 months ago. Your “return” is huge motivation for me. You will come back better and stronger. 5!

Daniel Wood | on 25/2/13

Derrick Rose Thank You for giving me new insight on the things I struggled with. your my greatest inspiration for who I want to be and who I am today. Stay blesses Rose

Tera | on 24/2/13

Although it would be nice to see you back this season, I don’t want you to come back until you are ready. I am a Bulls fan and a Derrick Rose fan til the end. You are just the cherry on top. Can’t wait til “The Return.”

P.S. That baby boy of yours is the cutest ever!!!

Christian Avila | on 24/2/13

I’m your biggest fan from since you starts playing with the bulls. I’m a down right Chicago Bulls I watch them every time they play or I record the game. But I just wanted to ask you do you have a date when you can possibly come back, & also I want to ask how do I build up my confidence during a basketball game because I’m always thinking about if I shoul shoot or go for the drive any advice?

Gabe | on 24/2/13

I would like to see Derrick Rose back on the court.

Robert McCullough Jr | on 24/2/13

man D.Rose take ur time bro you got another 20 plus year to lead the bulls to the promise land dont rush it man take it one day at a time word up be strong and god bless

genina | on 24/2/13

i can’t wait for #thereturn 😅

David W. Braddock | on 23/2/13

would like a contact address emailed to me for a business proposition that could interest Derrick.

Hero Louie Guisando | on 22/2/13

i would like to be updated.

biagi wijaya | on 22/2/13

Health is first man… and when you ready to play again, promise me you will give some actions to all NBA players.. show them that Derrick Rose is the best player in thel league!

Garrett Fischer | on 20/2/13

Derrick, we miss you and we need you!!! But take your time, you have a whole career ahead of you!

Tc | on 19/2/13

Comeback this yyear Derrick!

Tamia | on 18/2/13

Derrick, you are SUCH an inspiration to young people like me. Anytime I want to watch anything Derrick Rose or need some inspiration I go watch #THERETURN. I can tell you are such a great father and a basketball player and I just can’t wait until you come back. Whether its next week, season, or year, just know you’ll hae my support!
I love you DRose !

Ian Jo Bocis | on 18/2/13

Just Take Your Time D. Rose ^^
Can’t wait to see ya ..

Lexi | on 17/2/13

Chicago is always on your side…Whenever you are ready, we will all be there!!See you soon !

m. garza | on 16/2/13

I looooooove me some D.Rose!!!!

Taylor Nelson | on 16/2/13

I dont care how long, I believe in you Rose. If your not ready yet, then we , your fans, shall wait upon your return, but dont take too long that point guard position wont stay warm for long lol.

Chris | on 16/2/13

I can’t wait man it’s just so depressing without you I’m tryin hard to be patient nuts its really hard to watch Chicago without you

Philip Saud Ali | on 16/2/13

Derrick.. I’m your biggest fan here in the Philippines and i would want to meet you soon. Please stay patient with your health as possible. We are always here to support you and be with you. The imrpont thing right now is not to rush things, when you feel you are ready come back and like i said we wll be there for you. We cannot wait for #TheReturn and i am very sure you will prove doubters wrong. You are still the best point guard in the league today.

Eric | on 16/2/13

Dont’ rush back, i prefer to see you playing next season, that’s no point to comeback with any risks. Forget about this season and I hope to see you back until you’re 200%.
Please do not rush back this season, focus on the next season…..

Jonathan velez | on 15/2/13

Rose where their is great will in you their will be a great
Comeback. Your going to get your titles just focus on you
To be mentally and physically ready to be one of the greatest
Players ever. You’ve inspired the fans as well as your fellow
Nba players for the work ethic you commit to everyday on and off the court
Takecare congratulations on being a father! I have a 2 year old
And it’s the greatest experience a human can have in life.
Godbless to you and your family.

Julia | on 15/2/13

Derrick! Please come back so they say all people , but I please for something else. Please heal contusion ! The most important is the health. People about you remember and never forget. Each fan will be waiting for you, no matter how long it would have continued. For me, you have become an inspiration and role model. Despite the fact that I am a girl I would like be half as good a person as you. Everything will be fine, we keep your fingers crossed for you and we are with you at any time <3

Quinton L. Wilson | on 14/2/13

Blessing

We need you back Rose | on 14/2/13

We need you back Rose

gerson dominguez | on 14/2/13

you got it d. Rose, all u got to do is keep working hard and believe in yourself and u will lead the bulls to a title this season!!!

Jarod | on 14/2/13

Although im eager for him to return I would only be happy for him to return if he is happy to return.

Pitner | on 14/2/13

Rose,you are my biggest role model to me because you are humble,hard-working,and never give up.EVER! I would really like it if you responded .THX ,PITNER

Andrea Chambers | on 14/2/13

Derrick , I respect the fact that you want to be complete when you comeback. You want to do all the things that you were doing before your injury and that you are not going to change your game. I think all of your fans will be fine if we do not see you on the court until the 2013-2014 season. I know it will be well worth the wait. Smiling but not sighing. Go Derrick!!!!Go Bulls!!!!!!

Grant Resnick | on 14/2/13

I can’t wait until you come back. Take all te time you need to recover we both don’t want it to get worse when you return.