Bulls coach: Derrick Rose feeling like himself again

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau says point guard Derrick Rose's speed and explosiveness are back. (Photo by Chicago Tribune)

There is some good news for Chicago Bulls fans.

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said that guard Derrick Rose's speed and explosiveness are back to where he feels like himself again.

Rose was medically cleared and started practicing in five-on-five situations in mid-February. But he did not play in games and missed the entire season rehabbing from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee suffered during the 2012 playoffs.

"Watching the way he's moving now, there's a confidence," Thibodeau said to ESPN.com.[Reporters] may not have been able to see the total work he was putting in. But he was putting in an enormous amount of work each and every day. He just never got to the explosiveness he was comfortable with. I think he's there now. He feels great, and that's the most important thing."

Thibodeau said even though Rose was being criticized for not playing, it was up to Rose to make the final decision to play.

"The kid was being totally honest," Thibodeau said. "At the end of the day, you have to respect that. He wanted to be out there very badly. But no one knew when he would be ready, including him. It was a smart decision to wait. If you're not quite sure, and you're going to err, err on the side of caution. That's what he did. And now he feels great."