Derrick Rose has reportedly looked great during Team USA's practices for the 2014 FIBA World Cup next month. He has thrown down a dunk. He has done everything that his coaches have asked him to do. And he has looked like a guy who should be playing for the U.S. team in Spain.
However, because Rose is coming back from yet another knee injury, the thought has been that he might not play in the World Cup. Team USA actually has quite a few point guards trying out for the team right now, so they don't necessarily need Rose. And he could probably use some additional rest and rehab to get ready for the 2014-15 NBA season. But during an interview with reporters out in Las Vegas, Rose may have accidentally confirmed that he will be taking part in the FIBA World Cup while discussing his new teammate Pau Gasol.
"I talked to [Gasol] before he signed [with the Bulls] and he said when we get to Spain [for next month's FIBA World Cup] that we'll probably get something to eat," he said, "so I'll probably catch up with him, get some dinner or something."
It's important to note that Rose did say "probably." So maybe he's just saying that, if he does make the team, he'll eat with Gasol. But the Chicago Sun Times was on hand for his interview and seems to think that he may have let the cat out of the bag by talking about grabbing a bite to eat with Gasol.
It wouldn't be a huge surprise if he did go to Spain to play. But it would mean that Bulls fans would have to spend a couple of weeks holding their collective breath while Rose played for Team USA.
UPDATE:
A Complex Sports reader named "Sam" came across an interesting tweet that was sent out last night by NBA.com writer John Schuhmann and posted it in the comments section. It seems to confirm that D-Rose will, in fact, make the Team USA squad that goes to Spain in late August.
[via Chicago Sun Times]
