Derrick Rose: Don't worry about me

Source: ESPN

Chicago Bulls superstar Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose has stayed quiet since his season -- and the Chicago Bulls' title aspirations -- was cut short by a knee injury in the playoffs, but the 2010-11 MVP surfaced in a YouTube video posted Friday, telling fans not to worry about him.

Rose tore his ACL in Game 1 of the Bulls' first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 28. He had surgery on May 12, and has kept a low profile since."Hopefully you'll see me back out there," Rose said in the video. "My biggest concern is don't worry about me. I know I'm going to be all right. I know that I'm healthy, I'm positive, I believe in God, so I should be back there on the court soon, and I hope that you support not only me but the Bulls."

Doctors expect Rose to need eight to 12 months to recover from the surgery. Rose's brother and manager Reggie Rose told ESPNChicago last week that Rose is walking without a brace, and his rehab is ahead of schedule.

Dr. Brian Cole, who performed the surgery on Rose, also said last month that Rose was ahead of schedule.

Kentucky coach John Calipari liked what he heard from Rose when he spoke to him earlier this summer. Calipari, Rose's former coach at Memphis and still a confidant of the Bulls star, told ESPN 1000's "The Carmen, Jurko & Harry Show" last week that Rose is determined to be better than he was before the injury.

"He looked at the whole thing in a bigger picture and basically said, 'You know this may have been a message to me to slow down and to really look at what's going on around me and to step back,' " Calipari said. " 'He said, 'I think God was telling me things are coming at you too fast.' And he said, 'Coach I'm gonna come back (and) wait until you see my body when I come back.' And he said, 'I'm going to be better than I was before I got hurt.' And if you know him, you understand when he gets on a mission that way, he's going."

The Bulls team Rose returns to will have plenty of new faces staring back at him. The Bulls cut ties with guard C.J. Watson and swingman Ronnie Brewer, traded sharpshooter Kyle Korver and appear to be on the verge of losing guard John Lucas III, who is reportedly closing in on a deal with the Toronto Raptors. They also have a decision to make on centerOmer Asik, who agreed to an offer sheet with the Houston Rockets. The Bulls will have three days to match the offer once it's signed by Asik.

The Bulls agreed to a deal with guard Kirk Hinrich, a move the team has yet to announce, giving them a veteran to hold down the point for Rose while he's out. They also drafted Kentucky point guard Marquis Teague in the first round and signed former Atlanta Hawks forward Vladimir Radmanovic.

Rose thanked fans for their support in the video.

"I know I haven't been out there, but I appreciate you all watching this video," Rose said.