Rose Hopes for Return Before Playoffs
Fresh off of a surgery, Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose said there is a “good chance” he’ll be back this season, but stopped short of guaranteeing it.
“I think so, that’s the plan,” Rose said to reporters on Monday. “Whenever I feel right, that’s when I’m going to step back.”
Rose spoke to the press for the first time since undergoing knee surgery Feb. 27. He told reporters gathered at the team’s practice facility that he’s “killing every workout” since the surgery, but refused to give a solid commitment as to whether or not he could make it back within the Bulls’ previously announced four-to-six-week estimate.
“I’m not even thinking about that right now, I’m thinking about getting the most out of every day,” Rose said. “Whenever I come back, I think I’m going to be ready to play the way I normally play.”
Rose was asked whether he has the power to say he’s not returning if something doesn’t feel right, as was the case with the 2013 season during his ACL rehab.
“Yeah, but the way that I’m feeling right now, it’s a good chance that I’ll come back,” he said.
Atlanta Hawks First To 50 Wins
The Atlanta Hawks rebounded from a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday by defeating the Sacramento Kings 130-105 on Monday night at home, becoming the first NBA team to reach 50 wins this season in the process.
The Hawks’ 130 points was a season high, and the team’s mark of 20 three-pointers in 36 attempts was a franchise record. Kyle Korver went 6-of-8 from beyond the arc after missing Saturday’s game to rest, and Jeff Teague led the team with 18 points, 13 assists, and five rebounds.
Atlanta hasn’t achieved 50 wins since the 2009-2010 season, when they finished 53-29. With 19 games remaining in the regular season, the mark is also the fastest the team has reached it.
The Golden State Warriors are the next closest team to 50 wins, with a record of 49-12.
Bosh Hopeful For 2015-16 Return
The Miami Heat announced on Monday that forward Chris Bosh, who was diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs last month, is expected to resume full basketball activities in September, and should return fully healthy for the start of the 2015-16 season.
Bosh spoke to the media Monday for the first time since it was discovered that he would miss the remainder of the season as he recovers from the blood clots, stating that he played with blood clots in his lungs for “three weeks probably” before finally being diagnosed. He last game appearance was during the All-Star Game on Feb. 15.
Shortly after the event in New York City, Bosh vacationed in Haiti with teammate Dwyane Wade and their wives during the weeklong break. Bosh was admitted to a hospital in Miami shortly upon returning, and was diagnosed with the clots.
When asked is he played in NBA games with the clots in his lungs, Bosh replied “I’m imagining I did, yeah.”
Heat thoracic surgeon Dr. John DeRosimo and team cardiologist Dr. Ed Neff said Bosh will be re-evaluated this month and, if cleared, might begin regular exercise at that time with plans to start strength training in April.
Prior to ending his season, Bosh was averaging 21.1 points and 7.0 rebounds per game with a 19.9 PER.
Jones Fined For Bumping Draymond Green During Interview
The NBA has fined the Los Angeles Clippers’ Dahntay Jones $10,000 for intentionally bumping into the Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green during a postgame interview Sunday. Green was in the midst of his interview with ABC’s Lisa Salters after scoring 23 points in the Warriors’ 106-98 victory when Jones walked by and bumped into him. Green gave a long stare in Jones’ direction, then finished the interview.
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Jones denied bumping Green intentionally and shook his head when asked about the incident Sunday.
“That’s not how you bump somebody if you purposely want to bump them,” he told ESPN.
Green was quick to offer his thoughts to reporters following the incident.
“I think he wanted a reaction from me, but he don’t play,” Green said, noting that Jones is averaging a career-low 4.6 minutes per game this season.
Green explained his lack of reaction, saying, “Me getting suspended and him getting suspended, it’s different. If Jones gets suspended, they may not even notice.”
