Head coach Tom Thibodeau said in a Chicago Bulls rumors & roster news that Derrick Rose is still far from his desired playing shape, but the former Most Valuable Player played down his coach's assessment.
Thibodeau said in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times that Rose, who is coming off his second major knee injury, is still trying to find his timing and will only regain his rhythm if he will be able to play big minutes than the usual and perform well in training camp.
"In order for to get his timing, he has to play and he has to work," Thibodeau said. "Right now, his timing isn't there. It's a big adjustment for everyone. Everyone has to get used to what he does on the floor. The only way you can do that is by being out there. It depends on the work he puts in when he shakes that rust off."
Thibodeau also added in a Chicago Bulls rumors & roster news on ESPN that Rose has yet to shake off rust despite playing for Team USA in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain, pointing out that the 26-year-old point guard is struggling in every aspect of his game.
"Timing, everything, his defense, that's got to be better. He's got to get used to the contact again. His passing, everything," Thibodeau said. "And this is preseason, you get to the regular season that's going to be different. Our rotations are a lot shorter. The game-planning's different. You can't fool yourself. You can't. You got to work at it."
When asked about Thibodeau's assessment about his current shape, Rose played down his coach's statement, saying that he is not worried about it and will just let his game do the talking in their next preseason matches and practices.
"Everybody has their own opinion," Rose said in a Chicago Bulls rumors & roster news on ESPN Chicago. "As a coach, I think his standards are going to be high, very high, just knowing who he is individually. For the team, all we can do is come in here and get better every day, get the most out of every day and try to get better individually."
Rose averaged 15.9 points to go along with 4.3 assists and 3.2 rebounds last season, but went down with a torn meniscus in his right knee just in his 10th game coming off a long layoff because of an ACL tear in his left knee.
