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Derrick Rose 'far away' from return

NBA, Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose said Monday that he's "far away" from returning from ACL surgery, and he vowed he won't return until he's "110 percent."

Rose's rehab has progressed to the point that he's taking full contact, and although some have speculated he'll return shortly after the All-Star break, Rose was more cautious.

"I don't have a set date," Rose told USA TODAY Sports. "I'm not coming back until I'm 110 percent. Who knows when that can be? It can be within a couple of weeks. It could be next year. It could be any day. It could be any time. It's just that I'm not coming back until I'm ready."

Asked how close he is to 110 percent, Rose estimated "in the high 80s."

One source told ESPNChicago.com's Scott Powers that the chances of Rose playing this season are "50-50."

"You're not jeopardizing winning a championship, but you're jeopardizing Derrick's career if he plays and gets hurt again," the source said. "A lot of people are seeing him doing 1-on-1 or 2-on-2, but he's not ready. He's not 100 percent yet.

"Derrick has to feel comfortable. That's the key. He has to feel comfortable. There's no way in hell he's going to feel pressure. There's too much at stake. He has signed all these deals."

Bulls management has been steadfast in maintaining that Rose won't be allowed to return until doctors ensure he won't face any more of a risk than any other player. Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said he doesn't want to take the same risk he did with Michael Jordan, who broke a bone in his foot in his second season. Jordan returned without any further complications, but Reinsdorf said he won't take that risk with Rose.

The Bulls have exceeded some expectations without Rose and entered play Tuesday fourth in the East and a half-game behind Indiana for the Central Division lead.

Rose tore his left ACL on April 28 in the first game of the Bulls' opening-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, who went on to upset top-seeded Chicago in six games. Rose underwent surgery on May 12, and the prognosis was for eight to 12 months of rehabilitation.

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