Derrick Rose to play in Bulls opener, Fred Hoiberg says

Trading for Rose looks impossible for now and the Bulls would want something of equal value in exchange for their prized player. But with 255 wins in five seasons-and many of those W’s coming while Derrick Rose was sidelined with injuries-he’s certainly a tough act to follow.

The answer this year appears to be “Yes”.

Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose will be in the starting lineup Tuesday for season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“I’m very excited, very excited as far as what I just went through with surgery, and just how much I miss the game”, Rose said. I love the way that Coach designed everything. “The way the offense is run, they’ve got me running downhill every time I catch the ball”, he added.

“It’s great for our guys just from the dynamic explosiveness he brings to the floor”, coach Fred Hoiberg said of Rose.

Hoiberg said Rose would play two “four- to five-minute stretches” and play “seven to 10 minutes” overall.

Being a little lighter at 203 pounds as opposed to 212, he feels his body is able to get there quicker and avoid direct contact that wears on the body over time.

“We’ve got as many guys as we do who can play”, he said. Rose isn’t Curry and the Bulls don’t have the shooters to bend the court the way the Warriors did, but it won’t stop them from trying to put their most capable shooters in the same position to launch. It looks like it’s a go for me.

It seems that the game was the yardstick which the Bulls would be using to see if Rose can play on opening day. There are a few circulating news about an impending departure of Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson in exchange for Brandon Bass come the February trade deadline. The idea of Rose and Gibson going to Lakers would always remain rumor as they are basically founded on rumors as well.

Rose said he’s used to his mask, is playing at 203 pounds – same as his MVP season and nine less than last season – and has no expectations for his personal game Tuesday other than to win. The Bulls got it to 67-64, forcing the Mavs to call a timeout only to have their come back on breaks with the Mavericks keeping ahold of the lead all the way through the quarter to leave it at 77-74.

To the surprise of many, Matthews is on course to reach his goal of playing in the regular-season opener despite rupturing his left Achilles tendon on March 5.

Rose’s knee injury plagued him throughout the 2014-15 season, and it shook the future of the Bulls to the core.