Chicago, IL

Chicago Bulls star guard and reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose is the latest basketball personality to put the onus on team owners for the current NBA labor impasse.

Though never known for uttering many words or even offering public opinions, Rose, the youngest MVP in league history, made his stand known Saturday via some pointed criticism directed to the owners.

"Everybody know it's not our fault," Rose said via the Chicago Tribune after making fan-friendly appearances at downtown stores to promote his new shoe. "If it was up to us, we'd be out there playing. I think it's wrong. I know they can easily take care of it and not take advantage of people.

The 23-year-old point guard, who led the Bulls to an NBA best 62 regular season victories last season, indicated his frustration with the NBA lockout that not only wiped out training camp and exhibition games but also the early part of the regular 2011-12 season.

"The biggest thing is you just want to get back out there and play," Rose said via the Tribune.

"It will hurt us. But it will hurt basketball period. We had a great year last year. For us not to have a season or take this long to come up with a deal, I think it's wrong," added the former NBA Rookie of the Year winner.

Apart from talking about the lockout, Rose also revealed that he is continuing to work out despite the lack of organized practices that training camp would have provided.

Rose has led the Bulls to the NBA Playoffs every year since being selected No. 1 overall in the 2008 NBA draft.

Last season, the Bulls registered their sixth 60-plus wins in franchise history, and first since the 1997-98 season.

After defeating Indiana and Atlanta in the first two rounds of the 2011 NBA Playoffs, the Bulls faced the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. Chicago lost the series in five games.

Rose, coming off his second All-Star in 2011, averaged 25 points per game en route to being recognized with the league MVP honors at the age of 22.

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