Derrick Rose returns Wednesday night
The Chicago Bulls will get a huge emotional lift on Wednesday night.
According to head coach Tom Thibodeau, point guard Derrick Rose - who's been out since Feb. 24 after undergoing surgery for a torn right meniscus - will start Wednesday's game against the Orlando Magic.
Thibodeau said he expects Rose to play in the vicinity of 20 minutes, and, Thibodeau being Thibodeau, he's also considering playing Rose again on Thursday, when the Bulls play the second game of a Floridian back-to-back against the Miami Heat.
In 46 uneven games this season before the surgery, Rose averaged 18.4 points and five assists, while struggling mightily with his jump shot. Though he showed flashes of his old explosiveness - particularly in transition - he hit on only 40.7 of his field-goal attempts (a career-low), and just 31 percent of his shots from 10 feet and beyond.
After six weeks off, Rose isn't expecting to step back in and feel comfortable right away, and said he knows his lack of conditioning will leave him winded, according to ESPN's Nick Friedell.
But he's worked hard to return before the playoffs and give himself some time to settle in before the second season gets underway.
"I've been busting my ass to get back," Rose said, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. "I got a lot of confidence in myself. But who knows how many games it’s going to take me?"
"Just him being on the floor is a plus for our team," said Thibodeau. "I'm not expecting him to play 35 minutes. I'm not expecting him to score 30 points. ... Just go out there, run the team, play to your strengths, cover up your weaknesses, make your teammates better."
It's true the Bulls play better with Rose around, despite his struggles. They're 29-17 this season when he plays, and 17-14 when he doesn't.