Derrick Rose spoke about the Chicago Bulls' chances next season and his explanation why he believes he's the best basketball player right now in the NBA during Friday's media day.
Rose, who finally wore his famous No.1 Bulls jersey after skipping one season to rehabilitate his surgically repaired left knee, said he's going to play next season with the same aggressiveness and tenacity he had before the injury.
The former NBA MVP added that he will enter the new season a more confident player after spending a year to improve different areas of his game.
"I think I'm going to play the same way," Rose told the press on Friday, according to USA Today. "I think the only thing that's changed in my game is my confidence level. I think I'm way more confident in my craft, in my game. I worked out a whole year training on my body."
Rose was heavily criticized last season for not suiting up in the playoffs despite getting the green light from his physician. With the injury-marred Bulls needing some help against the eventual NBA champion Miami Heat in their playoff series, Rose decided to stay on the bench and watch his team get eliminated in five games.
"I never felt like I could take on a double team (in practices last season)," Rose said. "I knew that I could get past one person, but in the playoffs, you really have to think about the game.
"People are going to throw different defenses and strategies at you almost every game. I knew I wasn't ready to take on a double-team in the playoffs, so I had to make the decision of not coming back," he added.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau defended his franchise player, insisting Rose just followed the orders given to him by Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf.
"I think Derrick took on a lot of unfair criticism for not coming back," he said during his season-opening news conference. "He followed (Bulls owner) Jerry (Reinsdorf)'s orders exactly. Jerry made it very clear from the beginning how he wanted Derrick to approach it. Be cautious, make sure you're healthy. He didn't want him to come back until he was 100 [percent.] So that's exactly what he did, and he got criticized for it."
Rose, who won the NBA MVP award in the 2010-11 season, also explained why he thinks he's the best player in the NBA.
"I believe so. I believe if you're any franchise player, any pro athlete and you don't believe you're the best player in the league, the owner should fire you or you should retire. You should have that confidence that you're the best - or you want to be the best - or you shouldn't be playing that sport or doing what you're doing," Rose said.
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