Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose told ESPN's Doris Burke that his hamstring is the cause for the delay in his return to action after his ACL tear last season. Rose spoke to Burke before the Bulls game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday at The Staples Center.
Although Rose has been taking full contact in practice for well over a month, he claims his hamstrings are "on fire" after competing in workouts. Rose added that he won't return to the court until he's past those issues.
A team source told ESPNChicago.com on Friday that one reason why Rose has been hesistant to return to action despite being medically cleared is because he is struggling to dunk the same way off his surgically repaired left knee.
Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau repeated the same line he's used for several weeks on Sunday when asked about Rose's return. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there," Thibodeau said before the game. "For us right now the guys that are playing have to concentrate on their improvement and our next opponent."
Even in Rose's absence, Chicago remains in playoff contention, currently sitting at fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
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