Derrick Rose’s injury worse than he thought
BY NEIL HAYES nhayes@suntimes.com April 1, 2012 8:00PM
Ronnie Brewer, fouled by Nick Collison, didn’t start against the Thunder. | Sue Ogrocki~AP
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Updated: May 3, 2012 8:12AM
OKLAHOMA CITY — Derrick Rose admitted that his groin injury is worse than he originally thought.
Rose sat out the loss Sunday against the Thunder. It was the 10 consecutive game he has missed because of the groin issue and the 20th game he has missed overall.
Rose said there’s no timetable for his return, but he expects to be back before the end of the regular season.
“I really don’t know,” he said when asked how long it would take him to get his game playoff-ready. “If I knew that answer, it would make a lot of things easy. It’s going to take a minute to get my rhythm back. Hopefully, it takes a game. We’ll see.”
Rose has been lifting weights and stretching but said he hasn’t started running yet.
“Derrick, each day, is doing more and more, so he’s moving along the way we anticipated,” coach Tom Thibodeau said.
Brewer benched
Kyle Korver started at shooting guard for Ronnie Brewer, who has started 40 of 54 games. It was the 10th different starting lineup Thibodeau has used.
“I just felt that was what was best for the team,” Thibodeau said.
Brewer has made only 11 of his last 35 shots. Korver had 14 points against the Thunder, including three three-pointers in five attempts.
Rip’s return
Thibodeau is being extra careful with oft-injured guard Rip Hamilton.
He acknowledged that Hamilton could’ve played against the Thunder, but he kept him on the bench instead. Hamilton said he’ll be ready to play whenever Thibodeau deems him healthy, which could be Monday night against the Rockets at the United Center.
“I’ve just got to be convinced,” Thibodeau said. “He thinks he’s ready. I want to make sure we’re smart.”
Hamilton has missed 37 games with groin, thigh and shoulder injuries. He has been practicing with the team and has been able to stay in shape while letting his shoulder heal, which hasn’t been the case for Rose.
“I feel good about Rip because Rip has been practicing,” Thibodeau said. “He has no problems with his lower body. The thing is the contact part of it. I just want to make sure from that aspect of it. But for all the lower-body injuries, he’s fully healthy. That’s very encouraging.”
Hamilton has been doing more and more in practice.
“My mind-set is, if I can shoot, I can play,” Hamilton said. “I was a little stubborn the first time. I’ll leave it up to him to put me out there.”
