Most athletes say they’re taking things one game at a time, but oft-injured Chicago Bulls superstar Derrick Rose said this week that he’s taking a “long-term approach” to his injuries and his career. That might not sound too cool to his teammates, who are out there nightly risking their own injuries and careers to get Bulls victories. All while Rose sits and watches, hesitant to play, fearful of getting hurt again.
But Chicago has very strong team chemistry–it’s a brotherhood in the Windy City under demanding head coach Tim Thibodeau. (Check the stats, only close-knit teams play Bulls-type defense.) So the players and the coach all say they understand Rose. For now. Rose is just doing what he needs to do, they say. “I think this: I know Derrick, and I know he wants to play,” said Thibodeau. “You have to take a look at what he’s just gone through. It’s been 2½ long years, two major injuries. So, there’s a lot going on there.”
