Saturday was supposed to be a great day for the NBA with the playoffs getting underway. Instead, it turned into a sad day for the league as the defending MVP and one of its better rookies both tore knee ligaments.
Derrick Rose got hurt with 1:22 left in Game 1 of the Bulls-76ers first-round playoff series. Rose was driving the lane and tried jumping off his left leg, but he went down after hearing a pop. An MRI confirmed he tore the ACL in his left knee. The injury knocks him out of the playoffs and may prevent him from being ready for the start of next season.
Some critics are blaming Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau for the injury. They feel Rose and the other Bulls stars should not have been in the game at the time (they were up 99-87 with 1:34 left). I think that’s pretty ridiculous. The Sixers were on a 12-4 run, so Thibodeau didn’t want to risk blowing the lead. Plus, if Rose was medically cleared to play, then why shouldn’t he play?
This really just wasn’t Rose’s year. Between toe, groin, foot, and back injuries, he missed 27 regular season games. He’s now done for the year with a torn ACL. Sports fans can only hope he makes a full recovery so he can continue impressing us with his outstanding play. The good news is he’s only 23, so he still has plenty of years to recover and regain his form.
Knicks rookie Iman Shumpert is the other player who hurt his knee on Saturday. Shumpert tore his ACL and MCL and is likely out 6-8 months. The Knicks now stand even less of a chance against the Heat. At least the Bulls still have a decent shot at reaching the Eastern Conference Finals.
Photo Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-US PRESSWIRE
