Derrick Rose ‘Loves’ The Bulls’ Offense And Says The Season Opener ‘Looks Like A Go’

Derrick Rose had eight points and one assist in his preseason debut for the Chicago Bulls on Friday night. And though he compiled those numbers in just 10 minutes of play and shot a sterling 4-of-6 from the field, statistics don’t tell the entire story of the former MVP’s performance during his team’s exhibition finale.

But the video above at least comes close to doing so. That’s Rose slicing through defenders for acrobatic finishes, running past everyone in transition, and confidently knocking down jumpers like he did before a rash of injuries took his ascendent career in the opposite direction.

What’s an even better indication of Rose’s play, though? And an extremely encouraging harbinger for the 2015-16 season in general? What he told K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune about the fruits of playing in Fred Hoiberg’s wide open offense.

“I felt good. I just wanted to get a feel for the offense,” Rose said. “I love the way Coach designed everything. He has me running downhill and catching the ball with a live dribble. There are a lot of lanes and so many opportunities to drive. It’s open. I love it.”

Chicago’s new coach was very pleased with his point guard and his team overall, too.

“Our pace was as good as it has been all preseason. And the other guys were running with him,” Hoiberg said. “That’s what Derrick can do.”

It remains to be seen if the Bulls can sustain their longstanding commitment to defense without Tom Thibodeau on the sidelines. But a minor slip from their traditional excellence on that end would be worth improvement on the other, and the latter increasingly seems like it will come to pass.

The best news to come from Friday’s game, though? That Rose says Tuesday’s season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers “looks like a go.” And compromised vision or not, it’s clear he thinks Chicago’s revamped offense does, too.

(Chicago Tribune)

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