Thibodeau: Have patience with Rose

Source: nwherald.com


CHICAGO – Derrick Rose walked toward the Bulls’ locker room without any hint of a limp about 90 minutes before Monday’s game against the Houston Rockets.

However, fans will have to keep waiting for Rose’s stroll to turn into a sprint.


Rose missed his 11th consecutive game because of a strained right groin but could be nearing a return as the regular season enters its final four weeks.


Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said he expected Rose to return before the end of the regular season. Although Thibodeau did not provide a timeline for Rose’s return, he said the team was encouraged by Rose’s progress and emphasized patience for a full recovery.


“He has been running,” said Thibodeau, who also met with Rose before the game. “He’s adding on to what he’s doing each and every day, so that’s the encouraging thing.


“He’s doing more and more and not having any repercussions the next day. He’s going step by step, and we just have to be patient and let him work through it, and he’ll be fine.”


Another honor: Thibodeau collected another award Monday when he was named as the NBA’s Eastern Conference coach of the month for March.


Thibodeau has earned the monthly award five times in less than two full seasons with the Bulls. He won three times during the 2010-11 season en route to receiving the NBA’s coach of the year award, and he also earned the award this January.


The Bulls went 13-3 in March, including 6-0 on the road, under Thibodeau’s leadership. Thibodeau deflected credit for his recognition by the league.


“That’s a byproduct of a good team and a good coaching staff and a good organization,” Thibodeau said.


Conference pride: Bulls guard Ronnie Brewer played for the Arkansas Razorbacks, but that did not stop him from cheering for a rival in the NCAA championship game.


Brewer, 27, said he wanted the Kentucky Wildcats to knock off the Kansas Jayhawks.


“Even though that’s a rival, you still want them,” said Brewer, who still closely follows Arkansas’ program. “There’s always bragging rights when a team from the SEC wins. Because if they beat you, you can be like, ‘Well, they won the national championship.’ ”


Bulls bits: The Bulls have six home games and five road games remaining in the regular season. … A crowd of 21,936 marked the Bulls’ 81st consecutive sellout at the United Center.