me outside the Bulls' realm are vilifying Derrick Rose for introducing a shade of gray in a black-and-white world, one that demands immediate and definitive answers — and all the better if they're shared via social media.

And what do you know: Rose has used his Twitter account four times since June 2013.

Derrick Rose shrine CAPTION Derrick Rose shrine Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune Gary Phanhdone, a fan from Denver on his way to tonight's Bulls game, poses for a friend's photo at a shrine to the injured Derrick Rose. CAPTION Derrick Rose shrine Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune Kneepads at a shrine to injured Bulls point guard Derrick Rose. CAPTION Derrick Rose shrine Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune A shrine to injured Bulls star Derrick Rose along West Fullerton Avenue under a Metra overpass near the Kennedy Expressway. CAPTION Derrick Rose shrine Luis Gomez, Chicago Tribune the Derrick Rose memorial on W. Fullerton Avenue, featuring a mural, crutches, candles, a basketball and of course, roses. CAPTION Derrick Rose shrine Luis Gomez, Chicago Tribune A framed photo of Derrick with roses. Not once over 12 minutes in his occasionally clumsy remarks Monday night did Rose say he wouldn't be back in the four-to-six-week timeline offered after his arthroscopic right knee surgery Feb. 27. In fact, Rose said "that's the plan" and at numerous times stated his belief it would happen.

But a player enduring his third rehabilitation in 34 months after knee surgery, minor or not, understands the ebbs and flows and uncertainties of the process better than anyone. So even while emphasizing his focus is on maxing out his rehab on a daily basis, he refused to state definitively he would return this season.

Simple rehab in theory or not, a third surgery adds a shade of gray, mentally if not physically.

Plenty of indignation followed because Rose refused to say what some wanted or felt they deserved to hear. And that vitriol caused some to miss what Rose said about having his right meniscus removed rather than repaired.

"It was all about just getting back on the court," Rose said. "It was something that they have to take out, and at the time I really didn't care. I wasn't worried about the future. I just wanted it out, be able to walk right and get to rehab right away."

Rose spoke Monday night to fulfill a league-mandated media requirement. He is tired of talking about his injuries. In fact, he's borderline embarrassed having to do so but understands injuries — and media rules — are beyond his control. It's also well documented how little Rose enjoys large media gatherings.

cComments Matchstick Rose has ZERO integrity when it comes to his participation with the Bulls. Nothing he says is trustworthy. No he doesn't outright lie but neither does he tell the truth. Why the Press even bothers to interview this poor excuse of an NBA player is hard to understand. It's... THE5THANGELROSE1 AT 8:34 PM MARCH 10, 2015 ADD A COMMENTSEE ALL COMMENTS
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Words are words. From a physical standpoint nothing has changed. Barring an unexpected snag in rehabilitation, both Rose and the Bulls expect a return this season. In fact, what Rose said publicly Monday night contrasts with the confidence he has expressed privately regarding his return.

And does anyone think following the public relations nightmare that defined the 2012-13 season that the Bulls didn't discuss the four to six week timeline with Rose and his advisers first?

Everybody loves a conspiracy theory and Rose's decision to sit that season out after May 2012 surgery to repair his torn left ACL created plenty of them. But if relations are so poor between the so-called Rose camp and the Bulls, why has Bulls team physician Brian Cole performed all three knee surgeries? Maybe the relationship isn't perfect, but Rose's camp trusts Cole.

Frankly, what Rose said Monday night isn't really even a story if he had returned late in that 2012-13 season. And while it's true the organization would have preferred he finished his rehab by trying to clear that mental and physical hurdle, management also understood Rose didn't feel right in either realm.

The ensuing questioning of Rose's toughness that has continued since that decision overlooks the resolve of overcoming three knee injuries in such a short span and robbing him of the game he loves. Rose, who is consistently and emphatically defended by teammates, said he played through this latest knee pain since late January.

Does that sound like someone focused more on post-career graduation parties and business meetings, another clumsy comment publicly from Rose?

By this point, we should be used to Rose refusing to be hemmed in by what others expect of him. His famous, unsolicited "Why can't I be the most valuable player?" aside during 2010 training camp was met immediately by raised eyebrows and suppressed snickers. Instead of dancing during All-Star game introductions, Rose stood there stoically, passively — comfortable in his own skin while bucking the norm.

At face value, the start of Rose's answer when asked if he's OK with the organization publicly putting a four to six week timeline on his return sounds bad.

"Who cares?" Rose started before adding, "I'm not even thinking about that right now. I'm thinking about getting the most out of every day."

But talk to Rose enough and understand the "Who cares?" part is a reflexive remark. Two days after Rose made his "why can't I be the MVP?" comment, I asked Rose about the amount of skepticism it created.

"Who cares?" Rose said then, seven months before turning his rhetorical question into reality. "I believe it."