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Pain-free Rose says no trades needed for this Bulls team

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Feb 22

Prior to starting his second consecutive game after missing five in a row with lower back pain, Bulls guard Derrick Rose declared himself pain-free and said he’s a go for the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday in Orlando.

“My back is feeling good,” said Rose before the Bulls defeated the Bucks 110-91 on Wednesday at the United Center. “I’m not worried about it anymore. I don’t feel any pain anymore. Hopefully I can get away from hurting again. I’m stretching a lot, in the night and morning, making sure I’m loose.”

Rose scored 16 points go to with seven assists as Chicago routed Milwaukee to enter the All-Star break with an overall record of 27-8.

On Monday afternoon, Rose recorded 23 points, six assists and five rebounds in 35 minutes of action as the Bulls defeated the Atlanta Hawks 90-79.

“I felt good,” Rose said of the game. “If anything, I was trying to test myself to see if I still have it. I was just trying to play my game, that’s aggressive, and we started out pretty good.

“One or two days can mess up your conditioning,” added Rose. “So not playing for a week can definitely throw off your game. I’m surprised I hit some of the shots I hit [on Monday], not playing and not doing anything with contact for that long.”

In the short-term, Rose will continue to see a chiropractor when his schedule allows with the hope that the pain stays away. While he experienced similar issues when he was in high school at Simeon Career Academy, he’s is optimistic that this is another isolated incident which will not be a long-term issue.

As for this weekend’s NBA All-Star Game, Rose said he’ll be ready to go.

“I’m good,” Rose said of his status. “I don’t feel any pain in my back. My hamstring isn’t tight. I feel loose, I feel good. Fatigue is another thing from not playing. But it’s coming along.”

Rose also addressed a report that surfaced earlier this week stating that he had talked to Bulls management suggesting the team explore a deal for Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol. On Wednesday, he set the record straight.

“I heard about it after the game [on Monday],” said Rose. “That’s something I wouldn’t say to anyone, that I need someone to come to this team, or I’m trying to get rid of someone on this team. It was all false and that’s something I would never do.”

Asked if he talked to Carlos Boozer, who was reported to be involved in a potential deal for Gasol, Rose said had spoken with his teammate about the rumors.

“He should know, but I talked to him a little bit,” Rose said. “I think he already knew they were false. It’s something I wouldn’t do to anyone; especially trade him to any team. It was all false.”

In the past, Rose has expressed nothing but content for his teammates, and on Wednesday, he reiterated that sentiment.

“I’m good with the teammates I have,” Rose said. “I’ve always been saying that. The team that we have, we’ve been winning games, and we’re not in the position to look to trade anyone right now.”

Audio—Bulls guard Derrick Rose updates how his lower back is feeling, confirms his status for the NBA All-Star Game, and addresses a report he talked to Bulls management about acquiring Pau Gasol (02.22.2012):

Audio—Coach Tom Thibodeau talks about Richard Hamilton’s progress, this weekend’s NBA All-Star Game and playing in a shortened season (02.22.2012):

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