CHICAGO -- Derrick Rose isn't worried about the milestones he continues to pass as he makes his way back from another knee injury. The Chicago Bulls' first practice came and went on Tuesday without incident as Rose confidently answered questions about his status and impressed teammates and coaches along the way.
"There really wasn't any emotions like that," Rose said of being back on the floor with his teammates. "I just wanted to get the first one over with. I really want the season to come around. Of course you have to go through this part, it's part of the process of building a team. But when you miss two years you kind of want games right away, and that's the position I'm in right now where I wish we had a game [Wednesday] but we got to wait a couple of more days so that we can play."
The Bulls' first preseason game isn't until Monday against the Washington Wizards, but Rose is just happy to have a part with the team again. Having played just 10 games in two years because of two knee surgeries, Rose is trying to change the mental approach to his game even more than the physical one.
"That's the part of the game I'm learning right now, just the patience side," Rose said. "Just having patience. Doing everything, getting the most out of every day, recovery-wise, on the court, really working my butt off. Just trying to work out hard, doing all the little things, the fundamental parts that people overlook. Just trying to play with a lot of confidence, and that's what I did today when we were playing in the scrimmage."
Rose practiced with the starters' group alongside Joakim Noah, Pau Gasol, Jimmy Butler and Mike Dunleavy. Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau is confident that Rose's newfound patience is having a solid impact on his team.
"We talked about that at length before [Team] USA [camp started]," Thibodeau said. "I think his experience has helped him. I think last year he was trying to get it all back in one day. I thought right before he got reinjured he started to find a good rhythm again. He was 10 games into [the season]. This time, he's not rushing like he did. But there's still a fine line for him. Still be aggressive, find a rhythm, but not force it.
"I don't want him overthinking it, I want him to play. That's why I think it's so important for him to play. The only way you get that timing ... basketball's not an individual sport, it's not tennis. You got to work with your teammates. The only way you get to do that is being out there with them."
Having Rose on the floor again has given a big jolt to his teammates as they embark on what they believe will be a championship journey.
"I think [Rose] was outstanding today," said newcomer Gasol after his first Bulls practice. "He looked great out there. I look forward to continue to see more of him and play more with him."
As for specific differences in his game, Rose drew a laugh from the assembled media when asked how his game will be different this time around.
"Everybody keeps asking that. I don't know. What more do y'all want?"
"I'm just going to try and play my regular game. Take shots, see what's missing first. If it's missing, rebounding, assists, whatever category's missing, I'm just going to try and fill it in with the way that I play."
Thibodeau is just glad to have his star back on the floor and remains hopeful that Rose will be able to avoid another serious injury this season.
"Hopefully he's got past the hurdle of, 'How do you feel?'" Thibodeau said. "He went through all of that. Played the five games in six days [in the World Cup of Basketball]. [Went through] the schedule and handled all of it well. So now the challenge for him is to play well, to play up to his capability, and the only way he can shake rust off is by playing, so that's critical."