MANILA, Philippines – NBA superstar Derrick Rose relishes the opportunity to play for his hometown of Chicago and expressed his elation for bringing back the excitement to his city.
"It's an honor to play for my city to give the kids an inspiration. I'm just trying to bring excitement back because me and my brothers watched the Bulls play when they wasn't good," said Rose, who concluded his D Rose World tour with a visit to Manila on Monday.
"For me to see some kids brag about the Bulls again and support the team and city right now, it feels great," he added.
Rose also shared that he is living his dream of playing for his hometown and would want nothing more despite the added pressure of playing in front of Bulls fans, who have been spoiled in the 1990s with Michael Jordan and company.
"I think that as an athlete, it would be a dream job to play for your city or for your country. Hopefully we can bring a championship to my hometown soon," he said.
The 2011 NBA MVP bared that as early as now, the Bulls have been working out together back in the US in preparation for the upcoming season.
"We have a great group of guys because I think it's kind of rare for eight guys getting together early in the offseason working out, getting ready for a big year," Rose said.
For his part, Rose is still training despite being on tour the past couple of months, going to various cities in Europe, China and finally Manila.
"Even though I'm in the road, I'm training hard because as the leader of the team I have to lead by example and come back being in shape and let them know that I care about the championship," said the 2009 NBA Rookie of the Year.
"Our goal next year is to win the championship and winning games, we will be playing together and improve our chemistry," he added.
Rose also commended his coach Tom Thibodeau, who received flak for overplaying and giving extra minutes to players. Derrick suffered his ACL injury in the closing minutes of a blown game at the start of the 2012 first round playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers.
"I don't get caught up with that (minutes) as a basketball player. I just want to be there playing with my team. Thibs has been around the game a long time maybe 20, 30 years he really works hard and that is why we all play hard for him too," he said.
The Chicago Bulls star said he is healthy enough to start the season and s raring to go and prove that he will be back better than ever.
"I'm 100 percent sure I'm ready. I haven't changed anything with the way I play the same way. The only thing that changed is my confidence level," Rose claimed.
"I just want to be more efficient when I play again and be able to control the game because I'm the point guard of the team," he added.