Russell Westbrook knows a thing or two about knee injuries, and believes that Derrick Rose will return to his MVP form. "He's a tough guy... he's going to come back the same D-Rose he was before," Westbrook told the Chicago Tribune.

Westbrook, who has missed 31 games this season after undergoing a pair of surgical procedures for knee ailments, and said of his own situation, "it's tough but at the same time I have to do what's right for my body and for my health."

Though clearly eager to get back on the court, the 25-year-old Rose has taken that same attitude, resisting all temptation to rush back from his latest injury, a torn meniscus in his left knee. Speculation is the youngest MVP in league history will sit the rest of the Bulls season and attempt to return this summer competing for USA Basketball.

The slow and steady approach has worked for Westbrook, who pronounced himself as feeling "great" Monday night as the Thunder prepared to take on the Bulls. He later declared "if I didn't feel the same energy and strength in my legs, I wouldn't play."

Westbrook entered the Thunder's 97-85 win over the Bulls averaging 21.5 points, 7.1 assists and 5.7 rebounds.

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