Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls talks to teammate Joakim Noah on Monday, Nov. 11, 2013.
No. No. No.
Derrick Rose, thanks to a torn medial meniscus in his right knee, is done for the season. Word of the injury trickled out on Monday. Rose tore his ACL in the first game of the 2012 playoffs, missed all of last season because of that injury, and will have played just 10 games this season.
Even if you’re not a Bulls fan, or an Adidas exec — the company gave Rose a massive endorsement contract a few years back, and has bet its basketball brand on the superstar — this is good reason to be blue. First, you’ve kind of got to feel for the guy. Sure, he’s still very rich and famous. But Rose was well on his way to being all-time talent. He still might get there. But the injuries take their toll. Just ask Bill Walton. Or Grant Hill.
From a fan’s perspective, Rose’s absence waters down the Eastern Conference and lingers over LeBron James’ titles. Remember, the Bulls were the top seed in the 2012 playoffs. With a healthy Rose, does Miami escape the East in 2012? Last season, Chicago — without Rose — lost to Miami in five games in the Eastern conference semifinals. With a healthy Rose, does Miami repeat? This season, Rose’s productivity was down coming off the ACL rehab. He was shooting just 35.4% from the field, for example. And the Bulls were just 6-6.
(MORE: Fox Buys TV Comedy Based On Dwyane Wade’s Life)
But to play the “what-if” game one more time — if Rose stayed healthy, he could have returned to form, for sure.
So, hoopheads, let’s all wallow together.
Though we can now all focus on Kobe’s comeback.