Derrick Rose knows that Chicago Bulls and NBA fans are growing frustrated about his decision to sit out games this season, but the former Most Valuable Player reiterated that he is just thinking about his long-term future.
Rose, who is still trying to regain his confidence after suffering from two major knee injuries, has missed four of the Bulls' eight games this season after spraining both ankles in their second game this year.
Most fans are already labeling Rose as "injury prone" and questioning the 26-year-old point guard's commitment to the Bulls, but the superstar reiterated that they should understand that he is also thinking about his future.
"I know a lot of people get mad when they see me sit out or whatever, but I think a lot of people don't understand that when I sit out it's not because of this year," Rose told ESPN Chicago.
Rose pointed out that he is concerned about his life after basketball, citing his role as a father to his son as one of the main reasons why he is remaining cautious about his health this season.
"I'm thinking about long term. I'm thinking about after I'm done with basketball," Rose continued. "Having graduations to go to, having meetings to go to, I don't want to be in my meetings all sore or be at my son's graduation all sore just because of something I did in the past, just learning and being smart."
Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau defended his superstar playmaker, saying that he never doubted Rose's commitment to the team. The veteran coach reiterated that fans should understand that dealing with major injuries for more than two years is not easy, especially after suffering another setback two games into the new season.
Rose, who is averaging 17.5 points to go along with 5.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game this season, played in just 10 games for the Bulls before the 2014-15 NBA seasons started.
The former Memphis standout missed the entire 2012-13 season after sustaining a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the 2012 NBA Playoffs, and was limited to just 10 games last season after suffering from a torn meniscus in his right knee.
