SACRAMENTO, Calif. --- The good news for Bulls fans is that Derrick Rose tallied seven assists, his second-highest total this season, in Tuesday's 101-87 victory over the Kings.
The bad news is he shot 2-for-12 and continued to lack the explosiveness that defined his Rookie of the Year status last season.
"It hurts a little knowing I'm not playing the way I usually play," Rose said late Tuesday, standing alone in an Arco Arena hallway. "But I know I'll get there. I gotta pull myself together one of these games. So I'm going to keep my head up."
Photo: Derrick Rose flips a pass behind the Kings' Jason Thompson as Joakim Noah moves in Tuesday. (AP)
Asked for seemingly the hundredth time if the tendon in his right ankle that limited him to one preseason game is affecting him, Rose said no.
"I just have to pull the game together," Rose said. "That's it."
Rose is a huge game-film addict and admitted he sees a difference in his game from last season.
"I definitely see that I'm not getting to the rim as much," Rose said. "If I pull one, these struggles are going to be over with. I just need to do that soon.
"I don't know what it is. I have to look at more film and see what I'm doing wrong so I can be more aggressive."
Rose said he seeks support from his family and advice from agent B.J. Armstrong when he struggles.
"We're winning, so I'm happy for that," Rose said. "But I think things would go a lot smoother if I come out aggressively and get my team off to a good start."
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You have to admit Derrick seems a little socially awkward, and sometimes a little devoid of personality. But if you're a true Bulls fan who watches a lot of games and gives everyone a chance, you know he can be a smiling positive presence with exceptional basketball skills. I don't know if he's ever going to have the ruthlessness or toughness to be the head honcho of a championship team, but I'm sure he can be an important part of a winner. I think we we're lucky to get the No.1 pick and lucky to have him in Chicago. I just wish he had a better mentor and motivator with better offensive plays then the unimaginative ones Vinny has foisted on him. I sincerely doubt Derrick Rose would be playing on such a low level right now if he had a Pop, Adelman, Phil, Van Gundy etc. Still, it's on him to either get well and/or in the mean time show some fight in him if he's on he court. Lately he's definitely sounded and acted a little soft.