National Basketball Association

Rose on sitting out: 'I'm thinking about after I'm done with basketball'

Published Nov. 12, 2014 9:01 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Chicago Bulls have been very cautious with their handling of their oft-injured superstar Derrick Rose this season. But now Rose is shedding some light on his mindset after his litany of injuries.

"I'm good, man," Rose said after practice Tuesday. "I felt like I've been managing myself pretty good. I know a lot of people get mad when they see me sit out or whatever, but I think a lot of people don't understand that ... when I sit out it's not because of this year.

"I'm thinking about long term. I'm thinking about after I'm done with basketball. Having graduations to go to, having meetings to go to, I don't want to be in my meetings all sore or be at my son's graduation all sore just because of something I did in the past. [I'm] just learning and being smart."

Rose has missed the majority of the previous two seasons because of serious injuries to both of his knees. He's already suffered multiple sprained ankles this season and missed four of the Bulls' first eight games.

Rose, who was voted the league's MVP in the 2010-11 season, has been heavily criticized for how long it's taken him to return from these injuries. Earlier this season, he said he doesn't want to play unless he's "100 percent" healthy.

Rose has season highs in minutes played (32) and points (24) in the Bulls' 102-91 win over the Detroit Pistons on Monday. The Bulls, who are one of the favorites to win the Eastern Conference title, are off to a 6-2 start and will play the Toronto Raptors on Thursday.