Derrick Rose is preparing for another return to the NBA as he gears up for his debut with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.

The point guard has been cleared to play against the Golden State Warriors and is likely to see some minutes on the floor as he begins his second stint under head coach Tom Thibodeau.

Rose signed a deal with the T-Wolves until the end of the season after he became a free agent when he was traded by the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Utah Jazz and was immediately bought out.

In his first interview since signing with the Wolves, the 29-year-old admitted that he is motivated to prove his doubters wrong and show that he can still play at a high level.

"I'm 29, they're acting like I'm 39. I'm still able to push the ball up the floor, they're acting like I'm in a wheelchair," he told ESPN after practice on Saturday.

"All these injuries --- like even coming here to take my physical [the Timberwolves medical staff] looked at my physical, they couldn't believe how my body was in good shape.

"Little things like that push me to go out here and work even harder, because on the outside looking in, you probably think I walk with a limp, you probably think I'm wearing ice bags every day, this and that. Man, it's totally opposite of that."

Since he was named as the youngest MVP in the league's history in 2011, the former All-Star has dealt with several injuries, including multiple ACL tears that have seriously derailed his career.

Hall of Famer Charles Barkley recently declared that the veteran's career was "over" despite him concluding a deal to join a playoff contending team.

Rose is aware that there are many people who are surprised that he's still in the league and have dismissed him as a star player, but he had a strong response to anybody who doubts his ability to still play.

"This is how I feel about it, the whole perspective on it," Rose said. "You could have your perspective on me, as far as I'm a bum, I can't play, I can't shoot, this and that, all right, cool, I have no hard feelings with that.

"I'm cool with that. [If] that's how you feel, that's how you feel, but at the same time, I don't need your f---ing validation. I know who I am, I know what type of player I am.

"So you respect that and I respect that [point of view] and we should be good. That's how I feel about it."

The veteran is now on his fourth NBA team and will be hoping to make a good enough impact to potentially secure a longer contract in Minnesota.

With Jimmy Butler out with an injured knee, any production he can provide the Timberwolves at this stage of the season would be crucial as they continue to fight for a playoff spot.

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