Derrick Rose Shows No Loss of Competitive Edge, Says ‘It Could Be My Mom on the Court, She’s Going to Get Killed’

Derrick Rose is hungry to prove to the world that he is just as mentally prepared for the upcoming season as he is physically.

The former MVP isn’t taking any prisoners, and while that is bad news for teams around the league, it is also potentially bad news for the woman who raised him.

After sitting out for the entirety of the 2012 season, rehabbing from a torn ACL, Rose is determined to come back stronger than ever. His return begins in the Bulls’ first taste of preseason action on Saturday against the Pacers, and the point guard said it doesn’t matter who he’s playing or what the circumstances are, he approaches each game with the same tenacity.

“I’m a guy where whoever’s on the court I’m going to go at them,” Rose told Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago. “If it’s my teammates, it could be my mom on the court, she’s going to get killed. I could care less who [is out there]. For me, I’m just trying to build that mentality where I don’t care who’s out there, I’m going to play the same way.”

When Rose takes the court on Saturday, it will be for the first time since April, 28, 2012, when he suffered his injury during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. With his competitive edge in tow, Rose is excited to get back to playing with his teammates.

“I’m ready,” Rose said. “I’m just ready to go out there and play. Every day I’m getting stronger, I haven’t had any setbacks. I’m just looking forward to the day where I step on the court.”