Bulls guard Derrick Rose said he's not close to being ready to return from his knee injury. (AP)

Bulls point guard Derrick Rose said in an interview with USA Today posted Tuesday that he has no target date for his return to the court, and indicated he might miss the rest of the season.

Rose tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee last season in the playoffs against the 76ers and has missed the entire 2012-13 season.

“I don’t have a set date,” Rose told USA Today. “I’m not coming back until I’m 110 percent. Who knows when that can be? It can be within a couple of weeks. It could be next year. It could be any day. It could be any time. It’s just that I’m not coming back until I’m ready.”

Rose said that right now he’s “probably in the high 80s. Far, far away.”

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said there has never been a specific date when Rose was expected back in the game.

“To me, it’s why we’ve taken the approach that we have,” Thibodeau said. There’s no timetable. It’s when he’s ready. We’re not measuring it against someone else’s timetable. It’s just this is Derrick. When he’s ready, he will go.”

Bulls star Derrick Rose injured his knee in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. (AP)

Bulls point guard Derrick Rose is recovering ahead of schedule, his brother Reggie Rose told ESPN on Thursday.

“He’s walking without a [brace],” Reggie Rose said. “He’s way ahead of schedule.

“It’s just keeping him focused, and we’re not trying to rush him. Basically just rehab, rehab, rehab. We haven’t put [anything] basketball in his face.”

Last season Rose tore his ACL on April 28 against the 76ers in the playoffs.

In June Rose’s surgeon, Brian Cole, also said Rose was recovering ahead of schedule. Rose underwent surgery on May 12.

According to Dr. Brian Cole, Bulls guard Derrick Rose is “ahead of schedule” in his rehab from a torn left ACL. Cole was the doctor who performed the surgery last month.

ESPNChicago.com reported that Rose flew to Alabama on Tuesday to consult with Dr. James Andrews, but Cole said that Rose worked with a therapist in Andrews’ office and not  with Dr. Andrews. This trip was reportedly scheduled before Rose even had the surgery.

“Derrick is ahead of schedule,” Cole said in a phone conversation Wednesday night with ESPNChicago.com. “This was part of the plan established before surgery. This was not a consultation with another physician, but rather it’s working with another therapist in collaboration with the Bulls’ training staff.”

Rose tore his ACL in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against the Philadelphia 76ers when he landed awkwardly in the final minutes of the game. Cole said he is expected to miss 8-12 months after the surgery.

Free agent Suns guard Steve Nash might be a good fit in Chicago while Derrick Rose recovers from his torn ACL. (AP)

With Derrick Rose’s torn ACL expected to keep him out 8-12 months, the Bulls are in desperate need of a point guard if they hope to compete for the top spot again in 2012-13.

According to Aggrey Sam of Comcast SportsNet Chicago, a source tells him “the Bulls will take a run at future Hall of Famers Steve Nash and Jason Kidd in free agency.”

The pitch to both Nash and Kidd will be that Chicago gives both the best opportunity to win a championship, of which Kidd has one and Nash has none.

According to the same source, the rest of the team’s “core,” which includes Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Richard Hamiltion, Carlos Boozer and Taj Gibson, is “safe,” though team management is willing to listen to trade offers. Reserve big man Omer Asik is a restricted free agent this summer, though the report states the Bulls are likely to match any offers for him from opposing teams.

What this means for current backup point guard C.J. Watson is uncertain. After Rose tore his ACL in Game 1 of the Bulls’ playoff series,  Watson stepped in and averaged 7.3 points and 5.5 assists per game in the series. The Bulls have until July 10 to pick up his $3.2 million option for 2012-13, but the Bulls could use that money to go after Nash or Kidd.

Bulls star Derrick Rose injured his knee in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. (AP)

LeBron James doesn’t have Derrick Rose‘s number, but that didn’t prevent the Heat forward from wishing the Chicago star the best on his path to recovery.

On Tuesday James used the media to deliver the message to Rose, who had surgery for a torn ACL he suffered on April 28 against the 76ers. James said he has never had a long conversation with Rose but enjoys the way the 23-year-old plays basketball.

“I don’t know what he’s going through,” James said. “I’ve never had that type of injury, knock on wood, so I can’t imagine what he’s going through. I just hope he comes back 100 percent, 110 percent, because I am a fan of his. I love the way he plays the game of basketball and what he brings to the game.”

James wasn’t the only Heat player who offered a wish for Rose’s speedy recover as Dwyane Wade did the same. Wade, who has dealt with his own injuries, said he wished Rose and his family well.

One of the early stories of the 2012 NBA playoffs has undoubtedly been the news that Bulls point guard and reigning league MVP Derrick Rose tore his ACL in Game 1 of Chicago’s first-round series against the 76ers, a move that has led many to count the Bulls out of title contention.

However, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau does not see it quite the same way, as he said that while Rose’s loss certainly doesn’t help the Bulls, it’s premature to count his team out just yet.

“I think we all feel awful for him,” Thibodeau said Sunday. “Derrick’s not only a great player, he’s a great teammate, he’s a great person, but it’s not a death sentence. It’s not a death sentence for him, it’s not a death sentence for our team. He’s going to come back. He’ll come back better than ever. It’s just the way it is and we’ve got to deal with.”

Rose injured his knee landing on a jump stop with 1:22 remaining in the Bulls’ 103-91 Game 1 victory. Bulls general manager Gar Forman said that there was “absolutely no issue at all” with Thibodeau leaving Rose in the game at such a late juncture.

Over the regular season, Rose averaged 21.8 points and 7.9 assists per game in helping lead Chicago to the Eastern Conference’s best record for the second consecutive season.

Welcome to Monday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

MONDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
MLB: Athletics at Red Sox, 7:10 p.m. (NESN; WEEI)
MLB: Rangers at Blue Jays, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
NBA playoffs: Knicks at Heat, 7 p.m. (TNT)
NBA playoffs: Magic at Pacers, 7:30 p.m. (NBA TV)
NBA playoffs: Mavericks at Thunder, 9:30 p.m. (TNT)
NHL playoffs: Capitals at Rangers, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN)
NHL playoffs: Kings at Blues, 9 p.m. (CNBC)

AROUND THE WEB:

Osi Umenyiora

♦ Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora is not happy with the way general manager Jerry Reese has been handling negotiations for a contract extension, claiming that the GM is trying to make him look like a “greedy pig.”

On Saturday, Reese insisted that Umenyiora has been offered a contract extension the past two seasons. Umenyiora, who last spring accused Reese of being a liar in a court affidavit, responded via an e-mail to the New York Daily News on Sunday, claiming that the latest offer wasn’t close to teammate Mathias Kiwanuka‘s three-year, $21.75 million extension that included an $8.5 million signing bonus and $10.95 million in guaranteed money.

Wrote Umenyiora: Last year I was offered incentives. This year they offered me in guaranteed money, HALF of what they just gave Kiwi guaranteed. HALF. I’m not making that up. Then Jerry tells the world they offered me an extension and I turned it down. And I look like a greedy pig for turning it down. Hilarious.

♦ Knicks guard Jeremy Lin practiced Sunday, and the Harvard product said he is hoping to return later in the team’s first-round series against the Heat. With Iman Shumpert tearing a ligament in his left knee during New York’s Game 1 blowout loss Saturday, the Knicks could use another body.

“I’m going to evaluate at the end of the week and see how I feel,” Lin said. “Hopefully I’ll feel good. Every time I come into the gym, the playoff atmosphere is unbelievable. It’s something I want to feel, and help my teammates.”

♦ The man who designed LeBron James‘ sneakers for Nike took a shot at Derrick Rose on Saturday, after Rose tore his ACL in a victory over the 76ers. Rose recently signed a 13-year contract with adidas.

Tweeted Petrie: You got one guy only getting stronger and one guy breaking down before our very eyes. You chose poorly Pooh. #shouldasignedwithNIKE

Upon receiving widespread criticism, Petrie first got defensive but later gave in and apologized, claiming his tweet was “tongue n cheek.” Nike also apologized Sunday, calling the comments “inappropriate” and wishing “anyone who is injured a speedy recovery” without mentioning Rose by name.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On April 30, 1956, the Celtics traded Ed Macauley and Cliff Hagan to the St. Louis Hawks for the No. 1 draft pick, which they used on which player?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I didn’t intentionally chest-bump him, but that’s what it appears to be.” – Celtics guard Rajon Rondo, after being ejected from Sunday’s loss to the Hawks by referee Marc Davis

STAT OF THE DAY: 7-0 — Gavin Floyd‘s career record against the Red Sox, following Sunday’s 4-1 decision in which he took a no-hitter into the seventh inning

‘NET RESULTS: Grizzlies center Zach Randolph falls and looks like he’s hurt until he does a couple of pushups.

Dustin Penner of the Kings banks in an empty-net goal in Saturday’s win over the Blues.

Pitcher Ryne Elvers of Sacred Heart-Griffin High School in Illinois hits a bird with his pitch.

TRIVIA ANSWER: Bill Russell

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Willie Nelson turns 79 Monday.

Welcome to Monday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

MONDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
NHL playoffs: Bruins at Capitals, 7:30 p.m. (NESN)
NHL playoffs: Rangers at Senators, 7:30 p.m. (CNBC)
NHL playoffs: Blues at Sharks, 10 p.m. (NBCSN)
NBA: 76ers at Magic, 7 p.m. (NBA TV)
NBA: Thunder at Clippers, 10:30 p.m. (NBA TV)
MLB: Rays at Red Sox, 11:05 a.m. (NESN; WEEI)
MLB: Twins at Yankees, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Road racing: Boston Marathon, 9:30 a.m. (WBZ-TV, Universal)

AROUND THE WEB:

Dwayne Schintzius

♦ Former Celtics center Dwayne Schintzius died Sunday in Tampa from respiratory failure at the age of 43. According to his father, Schintzius had been being treated for complications from a failed bone marrow transplant after being diagnosed with leukemia in 2009.

“He just went peacefullly,” Ken Schintzius said. “He didn’t suffer.”

Schintzius, 7-foot-2, was a star at the University of Florida, helping the Gators to their first NCAA tournament appearance in 1987. However, after being suspended, he quit the team midway through his senior season after a dispute with his coach. A first-round draft pick of the Spurs in 1990 (24th overall), Schintzius played for six NBA teams in eight years, ending his NBA career with a 16-game stint with the Celtics in 1998-99.

♦ New Jets quarterback Tim Tebow got a chilly reception when he attended Sunday night’s Angels-Yankees game at Yankee Stadium. Sitting next to Heat star Dwyane Wade, Tebow received a mix of cheers and boos when he was shown on the scoreboard.

“That was funny,” Yankees reliever David Robertson said. “I’m sure there were cheers and boos. They say this is Giants territory.”

Wade, whose Heat beat the Knicks earlier in the day. was booed when his image appeared, but the fans then applauded when he held up a Yankees hat.

♦ Bulls guard Derrick Rose took a hard foul from Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva Sunday that left him with a cut on his nose, and he’s not happy about it. He briefly argued with Villanueva (who was given a flagrant foul and then a technical for arguing it), and then made his displeasure known after the game.

“I’m sick and tired of people trying to take cheap shots at me,” said Rose, echoing a complaint he made earlier in the season.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On April 16, 1977, which Red Sox pitcher made his major league debut by pitching four innings of relief and earning the save in the first of 637 career appearances for Boston?

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Welcome to Wednesday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

WEDNESDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
NBA: Celtics at Warriors, 10:30 p.m. (CSNNE; WEEI)
NBA: 76ers at Pacers, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
NBA: Heat at Bulls, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
College basketball: NCAA tournament, Vermont vs. Lamar, 6:40 p.m. (truTV)
College basketball: NCAA tournament, South Florida vs. California, 9:10 p.m. (truTV)
College basketball: NIT, Minnesota at La Salle, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
College basketball: NIT, Valparaiso at Miami, 7:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
College basketball: NIT, Bucknell at Arizona, 9 p.m. (ESPN2)
College basketball: NIT, Illinois State at Mississippi, 9:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
NHL: Avalanche at Sabres, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN)

AROUND THE WEB:

Brandon Marshall

♦ On the same day Brandon Marshall was traded from the Dolphins to the Bears, news broke that the wide receiver allegedly punched a woman in the face during a weekend incident outside a New York City nightclub.

The New York Post reports that Marshall was thrown out of the club early Sunday morning after getting in a fight with an unnamed football player, and both players then argued with a group that was waiting to get inside the club to celebrate a woman’s 24th birthday. Marshall then threw a punch that landed in the left eye of Christin Myles. It was not clear if Marshall was intending to hit Myles or was aiming for someone else.

Marshall’s lawyer, Harvey Steinberg, said Marshall was at the club with his wife and some close friends, and that he was not involved in the initial fight inside the bar. Steinberg also said Marshall’s wife was hit in the face with a bottle and “suffered serious injury.” Steinberg did not explain Marshall’s alleged punch, only saying, “The mayhem continued outside.”

Marshall has a history of legal troubles during his NFL career, including arrests for disorderly conduct, drunken driving and alleged domestic violence. Almost a year ago, Marshall’s wife was arrested after he was stabbed in the abdomen with a kitchen knife, although charges were later dropped.

♦ Bulls guard Derrick Rose had an eventful day Tuesday. The reigning NBA MVP was fined $25,000 by the league for comments he made that were critical of the officiating after Monday’s victory over the Knicks, and he got into a minor car accident while driving to get an MRI on his sore groin. The team said Rose was not inured when his 2011 Bentley was struck from behind by a 2002 Saturn.

The fine is the first of Rose’s four-year career.

“Derrick’s not a complainer,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. “Usually if he says something, he has a point he wants to make. He was driving the ball pretty hard and didn’t get calls. … He’s a hard guy to officiate. Because of all his speed and power, you don’t recognize when he is being hit. He’ll play through things and he doesn’t say very much. But he was frustrated.”

♦ Former LSU women’s soccer player and homecoming queen Mo Isom, who was trying to join the school’s football team as a kicker, did not pass the two-day tryout for walk-ons. However, she plans to work out over the spring and summer in hopes of getting another shot at it.

“She did not want to take that she couldn’t make the team,” Tigers coach Les Miles said. “She said, ‘Do I get another opportunity if I get a lot better?’ I said, ‘Sure.’ ”

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On March 14, 1944, which Bruin recorded two assists in a 6-4 victory over the visiting Blackhawks and set an NHL single-season scoring record with 75 points?

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Welcome to Tuesday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

TUESDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
NHL: Bruins at Lightning, 7:30 p.m. (NESN)
NHL: Hurricanes at Rangers, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN)
NBA: Heat at Magic, 7 p.m. (NBA TV)
College basketball: NCAA tournament, Western Kentucky vs. Mississippi Valley State, 6:40 p.m. (truTV)
College basketball: NCAA tournament, Iona vs. BYU, 9:10 p.m. (truTV)
College basketball: NIT, UMass at Mississippi State, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
College basketball: NIT, Dayton at Iowa, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
College basketball: NIT, Savannah State at Tennessee, 8 p.m. (ESPNU)
College basketball: NIT, Akron at Northwestern, 9 p.m. (ESPN2)
College basketball: NIT, LSU at Oregon, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
College basketball: NIT, Texas-Arlington at Washington, 10 p.m. (ESPNU)
College basketball: NIT, Cleveland State at Stanford, 11 p.m. (ESPN2)
MLB preseason: Red Sox at Yankees, 7:05 p.m. (WEEI)
MLB preseason: Mets at Cardinals, 1:10 p.m. (MLB Network)
MLB preseason: Rangers at Indians, 4 p.m. (MLB Network)

AROUND THE WEB:

♦ President Barack Obama and British Prime Minster David Cameron will attend Tuesday night’s NCAA play-in game in Dayton, Ohio, between Western Kentucky and Mississippi Valley State. The two leaders will take part in a live halftime interview with analyst Clark Kellogg.

The White House said the trip will showcase the tight relationship between the two allies. Ohio also is considered a swing state for the upcoming election.

Republicans criticized the trip.

“While showing off our amazing college basketball teams is great, many Americans struggling to find jobs, dealing with soaring gas prices, or concerned with our rising deficit and debt would probably like the president spend at least as much time dealing with those issues,” said Sean Spicer, a spokesman for the Republican National Committee.

The president made his NCAA tournament picks for ESPN, and they will be unveiled Wednesday. He has not revealed whether he predicted Harvard — where he attended law school — to pull off an upset of Vanderbilt on Thursday.

♦ Bulls point guard Derrick Rose led his team to a 104-99 victory over the Knicks on Monday, but he was not happy after the game. Rose is frustrated that he’s not getting calls from the officials.

“I’ve got to be the only superstar in the league that’s going through what I’m going through right now,” he said. “But I can’t say too much about it.”

In the fourth quarter, Rose had an aggressive dunk. Asked about it, Rose said: “I don’t usually dunk it, but I was just mad I wasn’t getting any calls.”

♦ The Indians pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona struck a deal to have false identity charges dropped in exchange for his participation in a work program in the Dominican Republic. Carmona, whose real name is Roberto Hernandez, is 31, three years old than the age he claimed. Carmona, who went 7-15 last year, is due $7 million this season.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On March 13, 1971, who became the third player in Bruins history (and fifth in NHL history) to record 100 points in a season when he scored a goal in a 6-3 victory over the Canucks in Vancouver?

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