CHICAGO (AP) - Derrick Rose says blame for the NBA’s current labor impasse rests squarely with team owners, not players.
“It’s very sad, but everybody knows it’s not our fault,” the Chicago Bulls point guard and reigning NBA most valuable player said Saturday. “If it was up to us we’d be out there playing. I think that is wrong and I know they could easily take care of it.”
The 23-year-old Bulls star talked about the lockout and his training regimen during downtown appearances introducing a new adidas shoe line.
Rose said the NBA lockout, which has wiped out training camp, exhibition games and the early port of the regular 2011-12 season, has been frustrating.
“They (the owners) aren’t thinking about anything that we’re saying,” he said. “They’re not taking into consideration (anything) that we’re trying to give them. We’re just going to have to see how it goes.”
Rose said a partial regular season seemed a likely scenario.
“It is,” he said. “(But) I can’t say nothing about it.”
NBA commissioner David Stern wiped out the season’s first two weeks and has threatened to also cancel the league’s showcase Christmas Day games.
Rose said he continues to work out despite the lack of organized practices that training camp would provide.
“I’m working on my post game, sharpening my shooting, dribbling and all that stuff,” he said. “I’m just trying to get better as a player, get smarter. I definitely want my basketball IQ to get better.”
Rose led Chicago to an NBA best 62 regular season victories last season. The Bulls were eliminated by Miami in five games in the Eastern Conference finals. He averaged 25 points per game on the way to league MVP honors.
“We had a great year last year and for us not to have a season this year or taking so long to come up with a deal I think that is wrong,” he said.
Rose is not only endorsing, the new adidas adiZero Rose2 line, he’s using the footwear.
“I work out in these every day,” he said. “I will be playing him them.”
He made Saturday appearances at a Michigan Ave. shoe store, then greeted several hundred fans at a State St. Footlocker outlet where some fans reportedly camped out overnight to meet the Chicago native.
Rose was later scheduled to play some basketball with selected youths at the James Jordan Boys and Girls Club on the city’s West Side.
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