Mar 6, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) warms up before the game against the San Antonio Spurs at the AT

Derrick Rose has been cleared to play by the Chicago Bulls after tearing his ACL nearly a year ago in the Eastern Conference playoffs. However, Rose says that he’s not 100% mentally ready to play yet even though he’s been cleared by the Bulls doctors.

“I’m feeling good, but like I said, if it’s where it’s taking me a long time and I’m still not feeling right, I don’t mind missing this year,” he said. “I would love to [return]. I would love to. That’s why I approached my rehab and my workout so hard. I’m trying to get back on the court as quickly as possible, but if I have anything lingering on, it’s no point.”

via ESPN Chicago

There are a lot of people who think that Rose should return for the Chicago Bulls. A few weeks ago, he said that he wouldn’t mind if he sat out for the rest of the season and there was a lot of negative reaction. Today, with Rose saying that he still doesn’t feel right it feels as if he’s not trying to play this season.

This has been a story line that has dominated the Bulls season where they’ve played tremendously. People have been eagerly awaiting the former MVP’s return to the hardwood, but he’s making the wise choice in not coming back until he feels that he’s ready.

We’ve seen Ricky Rubio and Iman Shumpert come back from ACL tears this season. Neither one has really been too spectacular in his return. Rubio has started to pick his play up as of late, but hasn’t really shown us more than small flashes of what he can do.

I think Rose is making the right decision here in coming back when he’s ready. He’ll return when he returns. The Bulls don’t need him just yet, but it’d be best if he got some regular season games under his belt before getting into the physical play of the postseason. Rose will probably be back soon, but he should take his time when returning. There is no rush for him.

Shaq also mentioned that he would play if this were the playoffs. Shaq has been out of the lineup since February 1st and during that time the Celtics are 9-4 without him. On the season, Shaq has averaged 9.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 20.7 minutes per game in 36 games played.

Keep in mind, just over the course of a few days we heard about Shaq lobbying to play in Milwaukee and then having his return pushed back until Wednesday night against the Clippers, then out indefinitely and now possibly returning in a week. Confused? Yeah, so am I. Good news is that the Celtics are getting by just fine without him. Nenad Krstic has been a pleasant addition to the team and would be even more valuable as a sub off the bench with Shaq’s minutes most likely to hover around the 20 minute mark once he returns. We have said all along that the 2010-2011 Boston Celtics are good enough to coast into the playoffs. We’ll see what tomorrow brings on the Shaq return news front.

As I wrote this post, 3 members of the Miami Heat cried uncontrollably at the notion of Shaq returning to game action.