Derrick Rose is ‘sick and tired’ of Dwight Howard speculation
By Neil Hayes nhayes@suntimes.com March 8, 2012 11:04PM
Joakim Noah draws a foul on Magic forward Ryan Anderson during the first quarter Thursday. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times
Updated: April 10, 2012 11:52AM
Derrick Rose and Dwight Howard are friends, but that doesn’t mean Rose isn’t ready for Howard to leave town. The MVP said he’s tired of answering questions about the Bulls somehow obtaining the Magic center.
“It’s definitely getting old,” Rose said. “We’re sick and tired of hearing it. Like I said, the city speaks for itself. Chicago, marketing wise, is a great city. If someone chose to come here, they would definitely fit. I’m cool with the teammates I have.”
Howard told the Sun-Times earlier Thursday that the weather was too cold for him to play here. He might have been kidding, but no matter what he says, the league’s prized soon-to-be free agent continues to be the subject of speculation about where he might end up after the March 15 trade deadline and/or next season.
That speculation will only heat up from now until the deadline.
“I don’t pay attention to it unless someone comes to me — like you all and tell me something,” Rose said to a group of reporters. “I don’t know what’s going on or who’s talking to who. You all know more than I do.”
It’s unlikely the Bulls will make a deal, although they are fielding calls and surveying the scene.
“This time of year it’s part of the program,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. “There are going to be a million trades talked about, very few happen. Most of it is speculation. Some of it I have no idea where it even comes from. You don’t pay any attention to it.”
Cutting it close
Rip Hamilton said doctors have told him it will take a month for his sprained shoulder to fully heal, which would make it difficult for him to be at 100 percent when the playoffs start.
The veteran said he believes he’ll be able to return earlier than that.
“I don’t think it’s going to take me that long,” he said.
C.J. Watson (ankle) is hoping to return for Saturday night’s game against the Jazz.
Mr. Clutch
Rose’s 20-foot buzzer beater to beat the Bucks on Wednesday night was the third shot he has taken in the final 10 seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime this season. He has made all three.
“I saw it a few times,” Rose said when asked if he’d seen the highlight. “I was just happy to get the win. They were making everything down there, especially their bigs with the way they were shooting the ball and the confidence they have. It was a fun game.”
