Derrick Rose Denies Waka Flocka Flame’s Claim That He Will Play Tonight

An amazing thing happened after the Chicago Bulls’ shootaround today—Derrick Rose and Tom Thibodeau were forced to address a rumor created by the rapper Waka Flocka Flame that Rose would make his long-anticipated season debut tonight against the Miami Heat. Both denied that this was in any way true (never listen to Waka, kids). Per the Chicago Tribune: “Continuing to sound like someone prepared to sit the entire season, Derrick Rose said missing Wednesday’s high-profile showdown against the streaking Miami Heat is painful. But so is missing, say, a game against the Charlotte Bobcats. ‘Every game is tough,’ Rose said. ‘Knowing that it’s the Heat adds on a little bit. But I have a lot of confidence in my guys and the coaching staff.’ […] Rose has been fully practicing for five weeks but said he ‘feels the same,’ which means he experiences pain in his surgically repaired left knee when his workload increases. Rose knows this is normal and has suffered no setbacks but doesn’t sound like someone prepared to play in the final 12 regular-season games. ‘Just taking my time and that’s about it,’ Rose said. ‘Been the same way for a couple months now. Like I said, it’s in God’s hands. Every day, I’m waking up just trying to be the best player and produce every time I step on the court. Who knows when?’ […] Waka Flocka Flame, a rapper, had predicted Rose would return against the Heat, setting off a social media stir. Rose seemed flattered by that recognition and Thibodeau, who probably only listens to rap if it’s spliced into his game film, tried to keep a straight face in saying he knew of Waka Flocka Flame. ‘The rapper you’re talking about?’ Thibodeau said, when told of the rapper’s prediction. Questioned if he truly knew who this rapper was, Thibodeau smiled. ‘I hear the guys talking about him,’ he said. Told the rapper has a song called ‘Hard in Da Paint,’ Thibodeau didn’t miss a beat. ‘I’m for that,” he said. ‘I like him more now.'”