Kirk Hinrich is relishing his Chicago backcourt reunion with Derrick Rose almost as much as his return to good health.
Hinrich couldn’t hide---nor did he really seem to try--- his enthusiasm about teaming back up with the youngest MVP in league history this season. The two, who played together from 2008 through 2010, recently worked out together, fueling the veteran guard’s optimism this could be a Bulls’ season for the age.
"I’m very excited," Hinrich told the Chicago Tribune. "We have most of our guys back. We had some great additions. The anticipation of Derrick coming back healthy and it sounds like he’s motivated. We think we have a very good chance."
And while most will tell you that all starts with Rose, Hinrich understands he too has a key role to play. For the first time in several months, he’s feeling healthy from the nicked-up filled season of last year as well as the ruptured calf that officially ended his year during a first round playoff match against Brooklyn.
"If I wasn’t healthy I wouldn’t be out here," he told The Tribune. "I’m feeling much better and feel like I’ve had a good offseason. I had time to take care of my body, heal up and start preparing for next year."
Seeing Rose feeling and moving about nearly just as well also served as a source of added motivation.
"I saw him a few times," Hinrich added of their Berto Center workouts. "He’s traveling around and getting ready himself. You can just tell he feels excited to have the opportunity to get back out there and just play basketball. That’s what he loves to do and we’re excited to have him back."
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