Derrick Rose more week to week than day to day?

Rose has missed 15 games so far this season and is set to miss some more because of a groin injury. (Getty Images)

The Bulls want Derrick Rose ready in a month. Not ready right now. Which is why they've been extremely cautious with injuries this season for their MVP, the most recent being a nagging groin.

He's missed a lot of games this season and hasn't played in a week because of the groin. And it could be longer, the Chicago Tribune reports:

Thibodeau continued his cat-and-mouse game of calling Rose a game-time decision with his groin injury, even though Rose hasn't begun running and is shuffling along rather than walking purposefully. There is no definitive timetable for either player's return, although Rose is more week-to-week than day-to-day.

Thibodeau doesn't sound so concerned about getting Rose reps before the playoffs either.

"Somehow this notion that you can miss the entire season and come back in the playoffs and play well, I haven't seen that. So I don't know what people are talking about. You have to build the right habits so you can perform well when it matters most."

Thibodeau said when Rose is healthy, he'll play. The question is how long it will take for Rose to finally be completely healthy again. When you're not able to run and not even walking properly, it doesn't sound like it'll be soon.

The Bulls have survived without their MVP though, who has missed 15 games this season, getting big performances from C.J. Watson and John Lucas III as his replacements. But as well as those guys have filled in, they aren't the ones you want to put your trust in during a series against the Heat. Or against anyone, really. You want Rose back, but you want a healthy Rose. Which is why we might not be seeing a lot of him in the near future.