Derrick Rose returned to the Chicago Bulls lineup on Friday to notch 21 points, four rebounds and four assists in leading them past the host Boston Celtics 109-102 on Friday.
Afterwards, the youngest MVP in league history declared what Chicago Bulls fans have now been saying for what seems like forever.
“I just need to play,” said Rose. “I don’t need no more confidence. I know how good I am and I know how good I am going to be. It’s just that I need to be out there playing.”
The win snapped a streak of three losses in four games for the Bulls and improved their record to 6-2 in games Rose has played in this season. Rose returned to the lineup after playing just 10 minutes in a Tuesday night loss to Denver because of left hamstring tightness.
“The thing for Derrick is he’s got to keep building,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “Honestly, I looked at the 10 minutes [in Denver] as a positive. Back-to-back [games], he’s out there. I looked at the last two days, practicing and practicing hard, so he plays better. That’s how he’s going to shake the rust off. So I just want him to keep building. That’s what I want him to do. He’s got to be out there in order to do that.”
Rose has already missed eight games for the Bulls this season because of various injuries, but his teammates remain firmly in his corner.
“I think Derrick played really well,” said center Joakim Noah, who was returning from injury. “And I think every time he’s on the court it just makes our team that much more dangerous. It’s always great to have him on the court.”
Bulls power forward Taj Gibson has also returned to the team after missing the last several with a sprained left ankle. Gibson told reporters he took a cortisone shot in his ankle, but remains unsure when he will be able to return to play.
[Photo Credit: The Digital Story]