It used to be that whenever there was a Derrick Rose injury-update, the NBA world would hold its collective breath. Now, we just groan or sigh or talk about his greatness in the past tense. Still, the Chicago Bulls have to be psyched about getting back their former MVP and starting point guard, who is reportedly ready to return to practice soon following recovery from a facial fracture he sustained on the opening day of training camp. Via Nick Friedell of ESPN.com:
“Derrick’s in the building,” Hoiberg said. “It was great to see him today. We’ll get with him and watch some individual film after practice. [He] still isn’t able to do anything as far as courtwork. Hopefully he’ll get the clearance here in the next couple of days, at least get a sweat going and getting a little bit of running.”
Hoiberg hoped that Rose would return by Thursday but was unsure of the exact timetable given that the guard still has some swelling around the eye.
“He’s still got a little blurred vision in that eye. It’s still very swollen,” Hoiberg said. “But he’s definitely making progress from what I saw [a week ago].”
The photo above, posted to an unofficial Derrick Rose Instagram account, appears to show Rose out and about with Conan scribe and fellow Chicago native Deon Cole. His eye, indeed, still looks a little puffy, but the Bulls and everyone else will have a better idea of precisely where he’s at when he returns to the court, presumably later this week.
Speaking of time off, it appears a broken face allowed Rose the opportunity to throw his son P.J. pretty much the coolest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-themed birthday party of all-time.
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