Shepkowski: Bulls Downplay Reggie Rose's Cryptic Comments About Derrick

By Nick Shepkowski-

UNITED CENTER (CBS) Derrick Rose and the Bulls are downplaying comments made by Derrick's brother, Reggie, which criticized the organization's effort to win a championship this season.

After an ESPNChicago.com report surfaced saying Derrick Rose's brother and manager, Reggie Rose, was upset that the Bulls failed to do anything at the NBA trade deadline, Thursday night's showdown against the Miami Heat became an afterthought. Eyes turned from LeBron James and Dwyane Wade to whether the Bulls' currently constructed roster was in fact keeping the 2010-11 NBA MVP from returning.

Prior to Thursday night's game, Tom Thibodeau downplayed the comments.

"Obviously Reggie and Derrick are very close," Thibodeau said. "We share the same concerns about Derrick's health. It's not anything. It's not a big deal."

Thibodeau went on to add that both parties share their main concern, which is Rose's health.

"We share in the same opinions that we want Derrick's health and we want to win as many games as possible," Thibodeau added.

After shooting around before Thursday's game, Derrick Rose ran by reporters and offered "no comment" on his brother's remarks.

Rose went off the court and ran directly into a roughly five-minute, closed-door meeting with John Paxson and Gar Forman before releasing a statement. It read:  "I have always felt that the Bulls organization's goals have been the same as mine and that is to bring another championship to this city."

After the game Bulls All-Star center Joakim Noah said he had not heard about the Reggie Rose story, helping to serve the idea that this won't be an issue in the Bulls locker room.

By failing to separate his thoughts from his brothers though, Derrick now risks losing part of the nearly perfect image so many Chicago Bulls fans have of him.  However, after Thursday night's showing at the United Center, it's hard to argue that Reggie Rose said anything that many basketball minds weren't already thinking.

In addition to covering the Bulls for CBSChicago.com, Nick Shepkowski is the associate producer for The McNeil and Spiegel Show. For Bulls information all season long, follow him on Twitter @Shep670.