CHICAGO (AFP) - Derrick Rose has a warning for anyone who thinks he might be injury-prone and ready to call it a day as an NBA player.

"What can I say to that? I know I'm going to be all right," said the Chicago Bulls star.

Speaking at a news conference yesterday, Rose said he plans to get back on the basketball court as soon as he can.

"The hard part that I had to go through in life, period, is living in poverty and not being able to get what I want," he said.

"I have everything that I want. I just can't play the game that I love playing.

"I have my son. I'm going to try my hardest to get back on the court, and I know I should be out there pretty soon."

The team announced last month that he underwent a successful right-knee surgery and will miss the rest of the season.

Rose said he is already putting some weight on the knee in therapy.

"With this injury, I'm able to get back on the court a lot quicker and I'm able to move around a lot more," he said.

"Last year, the rehab and training part was all new to me. I didn't like it. I did it because I wanted to get back on the court. But just going through it, it's hell.

"This year, it should be an easier process where I know what to do and I'm walking. I'm able to bend my leg right now after surgery."

Rose injured his right knee in the third quarter of Chicago's 98-95 loss at Portland last month.