Feb 27, 2015

  • Jon GreenbergESPN Staff Author

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      Jon Greenberg is a columnist for ESPNChicago.com. He has lived and worked in Chicago since 2003, and is a graduate of Ohio University and the University of Chicago.

CHICAGO -- Derrick Rose'south genu surgery was successful, and the Bulls guard should exist cleared to render to the team in four to 6 weeks, full general director Gar Forman said Friday.

For Rose, the one-time MVP who had missed about of the previous two seasons with surgeries to both of his knees, this was positive news.

"There'south the erstwhile proverb that surgery's minor every bit long as information technology's on somebody else," Forman said. "But in this instance, in comparing to what Derrick's had to go through the last several years, this surgery really was pocket-size."

On Tuesday evening, the Bulls surprisingly appear that Rose tore the medial meniscus in his correct knee for the second time in 15 months and would undergo surgery. Merely dissimilar his previous surgery, which knocked him out for the 2013-14 flavor, the Bulls believed this was a more minor injury.

Those beliefs, based on his test and MRI results, were borne out Fri forenoon when team dr. Brian Cole performed the meniscectomy surgery, where "the torn role or the damaged function of the meniscus was removed," Forman said.

"Information technology was an anthroscopic outpatient surgery, and so Derrick at this fourth dimension is total weight-begetting," Forman said. "Information technology was a quick process. He had it done and he was able to walk out of the infirmary."

Rose could start working out at the squad's practice facility Sat, Forman said.

"Nosotros just got to exist patient and just give him the time he needs to get through the rehab," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "This rehab is much shorter. The other ones, they were expected to be long."

Forman said they didn't know when Rose got injured, noting that guys are playing on undiagnosed meniscus tears around the league. When Rose, who missed 12 of 13 shots in Monday's win over the Milwaukee Bucks, complained of genu pain Tuesday, the Bulls got him an MRI, which diagnosed the tear.

"The manner it was explained to me there was a flap where the tear was, they went in and shaved it out, that portion was damaged, and that should relieve the pain," Forman said.

In Rose'southward previous surgery, Cole repaired the meniscus, which comes with a longer rehab schedule. Rose was told then a 2nd surgery on the meniscus would be possible.

Forman said Rose will be able to start "loading upwardly" on his practice regimen in a week, doing drills and basketball game activities, and should return for the end of the regular season.

Thibodeau said he didn't want to "skip ahead" and predict Rose's render, simply was happy with the prognosis. Forman said he thinks Rose is raring to go.

"I talked to Derrick a couple times before this week and manifestly he was disappointed in being injured, but I think he'due south in a really skilful place and is ready to attack the rehab the next several weeks," Forman said. "I know he's really anxious to go back on the flooring with his teammates."

Rose'due south teammates, many of whom have played without him the by two seasons, are relieved he could return this flavour.

"I'm happy that he's going to be all right," Joakim Noah said. "Time will tell. Rehab is no joke. Particularly he's been doing it for three years now. I think it's mental at this point, having to put in all this work all the time. It's repetitive, information technology's very wearisome, peculiarly when the games are going on. Y'all want to play."

If Rose, who is averaging 18.4 points and five assists, makes it dorsum in iv weeks, his starting time game would be against the New York Knicks at habitation on March 28. If he takes six weeks, he'd have 3 games left.

The Bulls take eight games in April, including one back-to-dorsum in Orlando and Miami on April 8-9 earlier the playoffs brainstorm. Chicago (37-22) crush Minnesota 96-89 on Friday night and is currently in tertiary identify in the Eastern Conference, a half-game ahead of Fundamental Partitioning foe Cleveland.

The Bulls believe because Rose already has 46 games under his belt, he won't have a problem starting again with so few games earlier the playoffs. Forman couldn't say if Rose would have minutes restrictions similar he did earlier this season. For now, they just want to come across him back on the courtroom.

"Our anticipation is that he'll exist back to full action," Forman said.