Derrick Rose says he’s increased his vertical leap by five inches

Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose said that something good came out of his knee injury.

“I think I’m way more explosive now,” Rose told reporters after Wednesday’s exhibition against Detroit. “Like getting to the rim. I think I can take contact a little bit better. And as far as jumping-wise, I think I can jump even higher. They tested my vertical -- I increased it by 5 inches. I just didn’t show it yet because there’s no need to.”

Rose, who missed the entire 2012-13 NBA season while recovering from a torn left Achilles’ tendon, scored 22 points in 22 minutes in the Bulls’ 96-81 win.

Rose claims that his vertical has improved from from 37 inches to 42 inches. That could be a scary prospect for his defenders, considering that before his injury he had a career average of 21 points and 6.8 assists.

“I think every team, every player I play against is coming for me,” Rose said. “Who don’t want to make a name off me right now? I always think about that and take that into consideration when I’m going out there and playing.”

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