TORONTO – Twice Derrick Rose ignored a request from coach Tom Thibodeau to get out on the court for the Thursday morning shootaround.

It was obvious that the Bulls guard definitely wanted to explain himself to the media and get his message out there.

He may have fallen short.

Talking to the media for the first time since his “long-term’’ comments from Tuesday, Rose was almost defiant in his approach.

“It’s like on to the next,’’ Rose said. “Just try to keep it moving. It’s a new day. Just trying to think about the team.’’

Asked if there was something else he was trying to say, Rose responded with, “Really I was just being myself. As long as I’m being myself, that’s the only person I can be. As far as saying anything, probably blame me for thinking about the future, I’ll probably think different, but that’s all I was doing.’’

The kicker, however, came when the 2011 MVP was asked if he understood why some were upset with his comments. His response?

“No, no, but I could care less,’’ Rose said.

It was in a Tuesday interview that Rose was asked how he thought he had been playing so far, and fired off this beauty: “I’m good, man. I feel I’ve been managing myself pretty good. I know a lot of people get mad when they see me sit out. But I think a lot of people don’t understand that when I sit out it’s not because of this year. I’m thinking about long-term. 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. Just learning and being smart.’’

Rose refused to meet with the media on Wednesday, but on Thursday was asked if he was surprised it had turned into such a big deal.

“No, it comes with the territory,’’ Rose said. “I know that I’ve been there ever since I came to the NBA. But as far as everything that comes along with my story, missing two years, of course this is going to happen. I’m not worried about it as long as I’m being myself.’’

Maybe the most revealing answer Rose gave before the shootaround came when he was asked of the two season-ending knee surgeries changed his outlook.

“Yeah. It’s just letting me know what’s real,’’ Rose said. “As long as I’m being myself and inspiring people the way that I am and touching people the way that I am, that’s all I can do. Caring about myself and just being positive.’’

Rose’s teammates defended him on Wednesday, letting it be known that they feel that he is committed to the team this season and winning a championship. The fact that it was even questioned admittedly bothered Rose.

“Yeah, to a certain degree,’’ Rose said, when asked if he was frustrated with the criticism of his commitment. “Of course it’s going to happen. But at the same time, I can’t do anything about it. I just gotta let God handle that and just put every performance and every article behind me every day.’’