After averaging 29.8 points and nine assists in the second round of the playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks, Derrick Rose’s scoring dipped to 23.4 points per game on 35 percent shooting in the East finals as the Bulls lost to the Heat in five games. Rose now says he should have been in better shape to handle the strain of the postseason.
“I just learned from last season where my conditioning wasn’t up to par at the end of the season,” Rose said. “That’s what I’m working on this summer, getting my conditioning right. There was just fatigue. My body wore down. Just going through the rounds, the first time being there past the first round, it was hard. I’m just learning from it.”
The rest after the season has restored Rose’s health. Teammate Luol Deng also has taught him about the importance of stretching. And Rose knows he’ll face a tougher challenge next season. Because of the success LeBron James had guarding Rose in the conference finals, the MVP expects more teams to use bigger defenders against him.