Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose has taken much criticism for being on the injured list more than on the hardwood lately, but Rose says that he stayed off the court because he is thinking how he will feel in retirement and planning “long-term” with his injuries.

Since becoming a Chicago Bull in 2008, Derrick Rose has been on and off the injured list many times after an ACL tear that required surgery in 2012. He skipped the entire 2012-13 season due to injuries. This included the playoffs, which he skipped doctors cleared him to play.

Despite skipping the 2012-13 season, and frequently sitting out games this season, Rose joined the 2014 USA Basketball Men’s National Team. The team started practices in July.

The former MVP and Rookie of the Year, who makes upwards of $19 million a year, recently tried to explain why he still sits out games: he’s thinking “long-term” as he heals from his past pains.

In a new interview with Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com, Rose acknowledged that many people have criticized him for skipping so many games.

“I know a lot of people get mad when they see me sit out,” he said.

But the player says he plans more about his days in retirement and wants to make sure that when he isn’t hobbling around still sore form his playing days.

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 also told Friedell that he is still not 100 percent physically but is “getting close.”

The player has had other controversies in his sports career. Rose entered the NBA in 2008 after being involved in a college grading scandal that invalidated his SAT test scores, a finding that ended up vacating the University of Memphis’s entire 2007-08 season.

Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston or email the author at igcolonel@hotmail.com