LAS VEGAS – Sinabi ni 2011 NBA Most Valuable Player Derrick Rose na nararamdaman niyang matanda na siya.
Ngunit iba ang nakita sa unang pakikpag-ensayo ng 25-anyos na point guard sa U.S. basketball team.
“I was joking with Kyle Korver, I told him 'I'm getting old, man. I've got to stretch, I've got to use rollers and stuff.' He looked at me kind of weird,” wika ni Rose. “But I feel a lot more mature. I've been preparing for this for a long time. I've dedicated my whole summer to this. I think I've sacrificed a lot for this moment.”
Sinabi ni Rose, ang Chicago Bulls star na nanggaling sa dalawang knee injuries na nagpaupo sa kanya sa nakaraang dalawang NBA seasons, na halos siyam na minuto siyang sumama sa scrimmage sa two-hour practice ng koponan.
Ikinatuwa naman ni head coach Mike Krzyzewski ang ipinakita ni Rose sa ensayo.
“I think Derrick was a great excitement for us, because you hear about how he's worked out, but to see him today, I mean, he put it all out,” sabi ni Krzyzewski. “He was playing to exhaustion. That was a big plus for today, to see him. I was pleased that he didn't hold anything back. He played his butt off.”
Napanood lamang si Rose sa 10 laro ng Bulls sa nakaraang season bago tuluyang magpahinga dahil sa isang torn meniscus sa kanyang kanang tuhod.
Ibinuhos niya ang kanyang panahon sa pagsasanay sa Chicago at sa ilang promotional days sa Los Angeles para sa Adidas.
Natutuwa siyang magbalik sa court, at muling makalaro ang ibang NBA players.
“I work out a couple hours a day (and) I know how much work I've put into this; I'm just excited to be here,” sabi ni Rose. “Going out there competing and having fun, to tell you the truth, just having fun.”