Derrick Rose will miss the remainder of the playoffs after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee late in the Chicago Bulls' Game 1 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Rose also will miss the upcoming Olympics in London.
The Bulls' win over the 76ers was a by-the-numbers affair until just less than a minute and a half left to go in the fourth quarter, when Rose was forced to leave the contest after planting awkwardly on his left knee. While driving on 76ers big man Spencer Hawes, Rose came to a jump stop, shifted uneasily and immediately passed the ball off �to teammate Carlos Boozer while clearly aware that something had gone wrong.
TNT's microphones picked up Rose telling the trainers, "I heard something pop." After writhing on the court for a few minutes, he was helped off by both the Chicago and Philadelphia trainers.
[Also: Rory McIlroy tweets proof he was ahead of the times with 'belly putter']
Rose ? who has suffered through groin, ankle and foot injuries all season, missing 27 games in the process ? learned the extent of his injury after having an MRI.
"It might be one of the saddest wins we've ever had," Boozer told Bulls.com's Sam Smith and other reporters.
Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau will take in criticism for having Rose on the floor with his team up 12 so late in the fourth quarter, but though Chicago was in control of the contest throughout, this wasn't a blowout and the former Coach of the Year should be absolved from blame. Though he has tempted fate in the past by leaving Rose and other Bulls on the court deep into one-sided wins, this wasn't an example of that. Rose finished with 23 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists in Chicago's 101-93 win.
''I don't work backward like you guys do,'' Thibodeau told reporters in Chicago. ''The score was going the other way.''
In addition to damaging the Bulls' championship aspirations, Rose's injury also will keep him from playing for Team USA in the London Olympics this summer.
"My thoughts go out to DRose," Bulls Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen tweeted. "A great competitor and winner. No doubt in my mind he will do what it takes to bounce back."
Other popular content on the Yahoo! network:
? Video: Michael Strahan gives his take on Tim Tebow and the Jets' QB situation
? Brandon Inge couldn't hit, but he deserved more from Tigers fans
? Shine: Freak sports accident prompts family to launch advocacy group
No comments:
Post a Comment