So much for “The Return.”

Derrick Rose apparently won’t return for the NBA playoffs, no matter how far his Chicago Bulls advance. While Rose hasn’t publicly ruled out a return for Chicago’s second-round bout against the Miami Heat, reports that he has already made his decision: For the good of his franchise and fans, for everyone’s focus to be where it should belong now – Bulls-Heat, Game 1 on Monday – Rose needs to drop the illusion that his return in these playoffs remains a consideration.

“Who knows?” Rose told reporters hours on Saturday. “It’s still up in the air.”