Scott Powers, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Derrick Rose seeking further progress in Bulls' preseason finale

ST. LOUIS -- Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose gets one final preseason tune-up Friday before embarking next week on his first regular-season game in nearly a year.

For Rose and Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau, their final preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday represents another chance for Rose to work toward regaining his form.

“Just keep making progress,” Thibodeau said after the team’s shootaround at the Scottrade Center. “The conditioning is a big thing. He just needs to continue to work at that. I like where he is. He’s gotten better each game.”

Rose made significant strides in the Bulls’ last two games. He played a preseason-high 28 minutes against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday and scored a preseason-high 30 points on 12-of-18 shooting against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday.

Rose’s focus Friday continued to be his timing. He has averaged 15 points on 47.2 percent shooting, 3.7 rebound, 2.6 assists and 20.6 minutes in seven preseason games.

“Just, of course, working on my timing,” Rose said. “Just know that we can get better every day. We had a great shootaround. Hopefully, when we come back later on tonight we have the right concentration for a good game.

“It’s always a positive. You always get a positive out of the preseason no matter [what] because it’s early. Like, who cares? You can always improve. That’s what we’re doing right now. We’re on the road to improving. Take every day seriously and get the most out of every day.”

Thibodeau admitted Rose still has work to put in to be the player he was prior to his injuries, but Thibodeau has witnessed Rose take steps since the summer.

“If you’re comparing him to his MVP season, he’s got a ways to go for that,” Thibodeau said. “But he’s made steady progress throughout the preseason. I think the USA experience was huge for him, particularly the nine games in 16 days, the five in six. So, that was great preparation for this. And we know that this is the preseason and that when you get to the regular season there’s another jump. We have to have him ready for that. So, it’s been steady, real steady.”

The regular season will be a different challenge for Rose.

“He hasn’t really seen a lot,” Thibodeau said. “When you get to the regular season, you’re going to see more game-planning. Then the reads become that much more important because he’s going to see double-teams and the intensity changes. The decisions have to be made quicker. His teammates have to understand where to go and he has to understand how to find them. That takes time.”

Rose is trying to be realistic about his game. He understands it’s going to take time. He did think there were a few things he could control during that process.

“For sure, I’m going to have some good games, some bad games," Rose said. "But, at the same time, I always got to stay consistent with my workouts and my work ethic."

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