Chicago Bulls superstar Derrick Rose made a triumphant return to the United Center after missing almost the entire 2013-14 season by leading Team USA to an exhibition win over Brazil, 95-78, on Saturday night.
The teams were preparing for the World Cup of Basketball scheduled at the end of the month. For Rose, he made the game a showcase that he's back to the old, dominant self that made him MVP in 2011.
Although he only scored seven points, Rose exhibited the quickness that was noticeably lost when he returned to the court early last season.
''I think everybody's excited,'' Rose said via The Associated Press. ''It was cool. At the same time, I can't get big-headed about it or anything like that. I've just got to keep poised.''
The Bulls are among the favorites to win the Eastern Conference now that LeBron James has left Miami and with its acquisition of two-time champion Pau Gasol.
''For Derrick, there are so many positives for this,'' said his Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau who is also part of Team USA coaching staff. ''He shakes the rust off. He has a tremendous amount of pride. It's something that he wants to do and believes that he should do. I think this will be great preparation for the season.''
The game was not perfect for Rose, however, as he blew a wide open tomahawk dunk. But he did make some fantastic plays that pumped up the United Center crowd.
''Playing against this competition, I was just trying to get my wind back,'' Rose said. ''I am going hard at practice and pushing myself every day.''
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