Rose Won't Recruit Anthony, Unsure About Team USA Tryout
(CBS) In an interview with Yahoo Sports, Bulls point guard Derrick Rose maintained his long-held stance that he won't be actively recruiting any free agents to Chicago and also added that he hasn't committed to participating in the Team USA mini-camp in late July that serves as a tryout for the World Cup team.
Rose didn't actively recruit big-name free agents in 2010, and he's not changing now as the Bulls set their sights on star forward Carmelo Anthony. Rose told Yahoo Sports, "If they want to come, they can come."
"I love Melo's game," Rose said, according to Yahoo Sports. "He's a great player. Takes the game serious. He's consistent. He shoots the ball great. I love his heart.
"I can play with anybody, no matter who it is. I believe I can play with anyone if they step on the court with me."
Rose's stance differs from that of teammates Joakim Noah, who has previously been in contact with Anthony and selling the advantages of Chicago, according to reports.
Unlike Rose's recruiting stance, his uncertainty over the Team USA mini-camp came as a surprise. In his recovery from a right medial meniscus tear last November, Rose has been participating in full-court scrimmages with full contact. While Rose hadn't talked publicly since February, the Bulls supported the idea of him participating in the mini-camp, and Teams USA brass wants him there too, all assuming he's healthy, of course.
There have been no setbacks in his recovery, so it was widely assumed Rose was on track to participate.
He just hasn't fully committed to that idea yet.
"If I'm feeling right and the time is (right), for sure I will go out there," Rose said. "My body is responding good, but you never know."
The decision to participate will be made between Rose and his agent, B.J. Armstrong, he said.
Team USA is loaded at the point guard position, with Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving and Stephen Curry among those scheduled to try out for the World Cup team.