Derrick Rose is aware of the criticism about his decision to sit out games this season, but the Chicago Bulls superstar is unfazed as he reiterated that he is just thinking about his long-term future.

Some Bulls fans are already questioning Rose's commitment to the team after the 26-year-old point guard sprained both ankles in their second game this season, saying that the former Most Valuable Player should be more willing to play through pain.

Addressing the criticism against him, Rose, who missed four of Chicago's first eight games this season, said that he "couldn't care less" because he is just thinking about what's best for him in the long run.

"I was just being myself," Rose said in an interview with ESPN Chicago on Thursday. "As long as I'm being myself, that's the only person I can be, and that's about it. But as far as saying anything, blame me for thinking about the future, I'll probably think different, but that's all I was doing."

Rose said after Tuesday's practice that his decision to sit out games is not because he is thinking of being fresh for the season, pointing out that he is just concerned about his life after basketball.

"I'm thinking about long term," Rose said. "I'm thinking about after I'm done with basketball. Having graduations to go to, having meetings to go to, I don't want to be in my meetings all sore or be at my son's graduation all sore just because of something I did in the past. [I'm] just learning and being smart."

Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau then came into his superstar's defense, saying that Chicago fans should stop doubting Rose's commitment to the Bulls.

Thibodeau pointed out that fans should understand that the sixth-year guard is still trying to forget about the two major knee injuries -- ACL tear and torn meniscus -- that forced him to miss all but 10 games over the past two seasons.

"I know Derrick, and I know he wants to play," said Thibodeau, who was also with Rose during Team USA's FIBA World Cup campaign in September. "You have to take a look at what he's just gone through. It's been two and a half long years, two major injuries. So, there's a lot going on there."

Rose, who averaged 17.5 points to go along with 5.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds in his first four games this season, is listed as "probable" for Thursday' game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre.

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