The Chicago Bulls avoided elimination on Tuesday night. They defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 77-69. It wasn’t pretty by any means, as both teams struggled often, but the injury-plagued Bulls had just enough to get by. Luol Deng, led the Bulls with 24 points and 8 rebounds. Carlos Boozer recorded a double-double with 19 points, 13 rebounds, and tied a playoff career-high 6 assists. However, it was Chicago’s “bench mob,” that gave them a lift for the victory. Taj Gibson only had 8 points and 7 rebounds, but it was his 4 blocks and defense that made the difference. Late in the 1st half, Elton Brand dove for a loose ball on the floor, and Taj got into a heated scramble with him. Technical fouls were called on both players, but it was the spark the Bulls needed as the crowd and team fed off the energy.

In the 3rd quarter, the Bulls once again got another injury scare, as Gibson rolled his right ankle. It almost looked exactly like Joakim Noah’s injury to be honest. Taj is a tough kid from Brooklyn though, got the ankle taped back up, and was back on the floor in the 4th quarter. Deng made three big 3-pointers, in the fourth quarter, to help fend off any comeback by the Sixers. C.J. Watson and his shooting woes continue to hamper the Bulls offense. He was a miserable 2-10 from the floor, and only recorded 5 points. He is the replacement for Derrick Rose, he is the Chicago Bulls starting point guard. If they want to rally back in this series, they are certainly going to need a better effort out of him. Ronnie Brewer, who has become the forgotten man off the bench, reminded everyone he’s still a part of this team. He played 29 minutes, and had tremendous hustle and energy all night. He recorded 6 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and one block. Teammate Carlos Boozer called him “player of the game,” in a post-game interview.

The Sixers shooting woes continued into Game 5, as they have now shot under 40% in 3 straight games. They were 25-78 from the field (32%) and only managed to hit two 3-pointers. Jrue Holiday led the way with 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, but he was 5-17 from the floor. Spencer Hawes and Andre Iguodala both added 11 points, but were a combined 8-28 (28%) from the floor. Hawes added 14 rebounds, but he clearly has come back to reality on the offensive end, after scoring 21 and 22 points in the previous 2 games. The Sixers, once again, had a lopsided advantage in free throws over the Bulls. In the past two games, the free throw story goes like this. 55-25. That’s right. Fifty-five free throws for the Sixers, compared to the Chicago Bulls 25 free throw attempts. I’m not going to play the blame game on the officiating, but they do need to be a little more consistent if you ask me.

The #1 seeded Bulls had all the pressure on them to win this game tonight, and oh how the tables have turned. All of the pressure has now turned to Philadelphia to close this series out at home. Game six at the Wells Fargo Arena will be their game 7. When Sixers coach Doug Collins was asked about a potential game 7, he simply replied, “I don’t want this series to go seven games.” He (Collins) knows if this series goes back to Chicago, his team may self-destruct. “You can’t let one game all of a sudden get you spinning in the wrong direction,” “We didn’t expect to beat the Bulls four straight. This is a damn good team.”

The Chicago Bulls, who are seeking to become the ninth team in NBA history to win a playoff series from a 3-1 deficit, are also trying to avoid becoming just the fifth No. 1 seed since 1984 to lose to an eighth seed. Coach Tom Thibodeau addressed the Bulls’ 3-1 deficit directly, by writing on the greaseboard that the Bulls had won three straight games 57 times over the last two seasons. “I have a lot of belief in our team,” Thibodeau said. “Our team has great character. And we have more than enough to win. … Things change quickly in this league. They can go from bad to good very quickly and good to bad.” Game six is scheduled for Thursday night, in Philadelphia. Let’s see if the Bulls can scrap their way to a road win, and be one game away, from extending that impressive streak to 58. See RED.

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Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah, is “most likely out” for Game 5 on Tuesday night because of a sprained left ankle, according to head coach Tom Thibodeau. In other words, he is out. Not sure why Thibodeau does that to the media, but we all know what “most likely out” means by now. I’m impressed that Noah is even around walking, yet alone ready to play do or die, up and down the floor basketball. This is not where the Chicago Bulls planned to be at this point. The plan was to be hanging at the Berto Center, Derrick Rose and his ACL intact, and the Philadelphia 76ers already back home booking summer trips. Bulls should be drawing up plans to expose Coach Thibodeau’s former team, the Boston Celtics, not fighting for their lives in Game 5 of the first round against the 8 seed.

We all remember 2009, right? Ben Gordon was still in the Windy City, and Derrick Rose was just starting to blossom. A first round match-up that went 7 games and became one of the most exciting and prolific series in NBA history? Overtime games, heated disputes between Kirk Hinrich and Rajon Rando? C’mon now, everybody remembers that series.Well, about a month ago, I was REALLY looking forward to that type of series. And as a REAL NBA fan, can you actually disagree with me. Do you really want to see Rondo and Paul Pierce battle Jrue Holiday, Spencer Hawes and Lou Williams? I’m not knocking any of those players, but let’s be for real. It’s not appealing. It’s not going to be that 2009 thriller I was anticipating for the last month between two great teams like the Celtics and Bulls. This isn’t what the game of basketball needed, but unfortunately, due to injuries and mental and physical wear on the Bulls, they are on verge of elimination and that’s the reality….and it’s a harsh reality.

The Bulls and the city of Chicago’s run of bad sports luck continues to just snowball. Jay Cutler, check. Marian Hossa, check. Derrick Rose, check. Joakim Noah, check. And now, Vice President for the Bulls and former player, John Paxson, check. It was “leaked” by Sixers Coach Doug Collins when he sent him “well-wishes” after his team’s game 4 win. “I want to send my prayers out to John Paxson,” Collins said. “(He) had a little bit of a heart surgery; he’s not going to be able to be at Games 4 and 5. He’s like a son to me.” Paxson didn’t want anyone to know. “I have an arrhythmia issue I’m trying to get corrected,” Paxson said in a statement released by the Bulls on Sunday. “It is something I’ve had before and planned this procedure over one month ago. Nothing more to it than that and had not intended for it to be made public.” Being like a son to him, you think Doug would have got the memo, no? It’s also reported that NBA great and former Sixer , Julius Erving, better known as “Dr. J”, had some fun at the expense of the Chicago Bulls recent misery. He walked by their locker room door and was heard saying, “3-1 baby, just one more game.”

Either way, that’s the reality. The Chicago Bulls are an extinguished franchise this season, the flame has been blown out. The championship window, which was wide open at one point, is now closed. When Rose tore his ACL it slammed shut, and then the window LOCKED when Noah rolled his ankle. Even if they somehow rally the troops and won this series, would it really be worth it? What would the reward be for the Bulls in this situation to advance to play the Celtics? Get embarrassed another 5 or 6 games against a seasoned team, and to watch Luol Deng grimace every jump shot? Are we going to have to grimace every time C.J. Watson takes a jump shot? How much longer do we have to watch Carlos Boozer and his $60 million dollars really get earned by Taj Gibson? I’m sure the Bulls will fight tonight in front of the home crowd, it’s a team filled with pride. However, pride does not win you playoff basketball games, talent does. Coach Thibodeau and his “we have enough to win” talk is not reality. From a fans take, I hope the series gets stretched another game because Round 2 in the East will be moderate at best, in terms of entertainment. For now though, the West Side of Chicago can take a page out of the North side of towns motto: “There is always NEXT YEAR.”

**** UPDATE: Reporters around the league and Bulls Coach Tom Thibodeau are saying Noah is a “game-time decision.” I’m going to continue to call him OUT. Yes, he did shoot free throws and did some foot work at shoot around today, but the fact is, he’s still limping. Playing Noah will only hurt the Bulls in this situation and Omer Asik has already been named the starter for tonight. Game 6 would be more realistic for Noah in my opinion. ****

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The Chicago Bulls, self destructed against the Philadelphia 76ers, in the 4th quarter of Game 3. The Bulls lead was as big as fourteen points and then it vanished. The Bulls missed 10 straight field goals over 5-plus minutes in the fourth to lose all of their 14-point lead. Without Derrick Rose, this was my fear for the Bulls. That they were going to go through scoring droughts, and often. The Sixers scored a measly eleven points in the 3rd quarter, and were down 9 headed to the 4th quarter. Things started to go south for the Bulls, when Center Joakim Noah rolled his ankle on a hard, baseline to baseline drive. He attempted to come back in the game, with the big heart that he has. But he was clearly injured, and had to be taken out and back to the locker room. 76er fans showed how classy they can be, by clapping and jeering as Noah grimaced in pain. When he got up, and walked on his own power, they booed.  He was seen leaving the arena on crutches with an air cast. He’s most likely out for game 4, on Sunday, if not the rest of the playoffs. With Rose already out for the season, Bulls might now have to deal without their starting center. This is becoming like a recurring nightmare for Chicago and their fans. Guys like Taj Gibson and Kyle Korver are going to have to step up if the #1 seeded Bulls want to turn this around. Also, Ronnie Brewer was a DNP Coach’s Decision, on Friday night. No word if this was a disciplinary issue, or an injury, but the Bulls are clearly short-handed and need help.

Bulls did their best Sixers act in the 4th by scoring only 14 points, and missed crucial free throws down the stretch. Spencer Hawes hit a long 20 footer to give the Sixers the lead at 72-71, and then, two Evan Turner free throws stretched it to 3. Only shot Bulls would make after that was a John Lucas III three pointer, which made it a one point game. Sixers would hold on for the 79-74 victory. Carlos Boozer had 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Bulls, but he vanished down the stretch and majority of his points came in the 1st half. Luol Deng was irrelevant, as he almost had as many personal fouls as points. He ended up 2-7 from the floor with five points. Without him, the Bulls can just pack it up and start the summer early. C.J. Watson was downright dreadful, and was held SCORELESS in this game. That’s right. Chicago’s starting point guard scored ZERO POINTS in a playoff game. The Bulls never get held in check this bad, but tonight, the 74 points the 76ers allowed, is the fewest ever in franchise playoff history. With a 2-1 series lead, the 8th seeded Sixers look to pull off the upset. The Bulls look lost without Derrick, and now it might even get worse with the loss of Noah. Bulls are a tough-minded team, but I’m not sure how much more of this they can take, physically…and mentally. You stay classy, Philadelphia.

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Derrick Rose, the league’s reigning MVP, relegated to the role of glorified mascot for the remainder of the NBA Playoffs. It wasn’t just salt in the wound, it was lye — corrosive and infinitely more painful.

Chicago Bulls fans weren’t just being reminded that their star — their savior — was out for the remainder of the postseason, they were reminded of the fact that his entire career may be different.

In four years, Derrick Rose hadn’t just established himself as an All-Star point guard, he was potentially the most explosive athlete to ever play the position. But as he limped towards center court with 20,000 plus bereaved fans staring on, the brace was a somber reminder of the injury it protected. One that’s been known to rob explosiveness from athletes like Derrick Rose.

It may as well have been a full body cast.

Rose will likely miss a portion of next year recovering from this injury and this season that has robbed him of a year in his prime and a title opportunity. And even though this injury is far from career-ending, it’s certainly career altering.

Will he continue to be too strong? Too fast? Too good?

He’ll likely lose a step and he certainly won’t be able to elevate the way he used too. He’ll have to reinvent himself. It will be difficult, sure. But it’s a transition he’ll have to make.

Luckily for Derrick Rose, he’s witnessed the benefits of change for the better, both on the court and off. He was raised on the streets of this city that now celebrates him, and change has been a big part of Derrick’s life. Now, Derrick will have to channel the reinvention of childhood idol Michael Jordan.

In 1996, when Rose was eight, Michael Jordan returned to the game for his first full season and age had taken a step. However, Jordan returned to the NBA with a new weapon: A devastating mid-range jumper. Take heed, Derrick.

Even in the event that Rose comes back just as quick and violently powerful as ever, he’ll have to make some changes in order to conserve his body. He’ll have to rely heavily on an improved mid-range game, circa Jordan ’96.

Rose, of course, is no stranger to improving upon his jump shot. Before last year’s MVP-winning season, Rose lifted thousands of jumpers a day throughout the offseason in an effort to add range to his jumper and stretch defenses. He wound up knocking down 128 treys on the year after hitting just 32 in his first two seasons as a pro, and the three-ball was a welcomed addition to his game.

It’ll be a long road, but if he puts the same kind of dedication into rehab and the development of an 18-foot jumper as he did in his three-point shooting, Rose will be as effective as ever. However, until we see Rose back on the floor, we don’t really need the nightly reminders of the Derrick Rose that was, and is likely no more.

We don’t welcome ceremonial pregame ceremonies to remind us of an injury that robs us of a year of Derrick Rose in his prime any more than we would welcome the business end of a rhinoceros to the ass. The same goes for the in-game shots of Rose in a luxury suite.

He’s not a mascot, and to treat him like one is counterproductive. After Derrick made the trek to center court, the United Center was uninspired and quiet. The 76ers went on to win in a rout.

Let’s go ahead and save ourselves the misery.

Day 1. Today will mark the beginning of a new era in Chicago Bulls basketball. An era that most Chicagoans wouldn’t wish upon their worst enemy. Derrick Rose is done for the 2012 NBA playoffs. Oh, and the 2012 summer Olympics. If you haven’t heard the news, you must have moved to the moon and don’t get satellite reception out there. With 1:22 left in the 4th quarter of game 1 against the Philadelphia 76ers, Derrick made a bunny hop, and awkwardly tore his ACL. I can’t even describe how this changes the landscape for the playoffs this year. The Miami Heat basically have a cakewalk into the Eastern Conference finals, already up 2 games to none, on the New York Knicks. All that stands in the way in the Eastern Conference are the Indiana Pacers, or the Bulls without Rose. Boston Celtics could also benefit from this scenario. However, they find themselves down in the series and minus their star point guard, Rajon Rondo. He is suspended for Game 2 against the Atlanta Hawks after making contact with referee Marc Davis, in Game 1.

As an avid NBA fan, and an even more passionate Bulls fan. This one really hit home. I was in serious deep depression for 2 days, following Game 1. The whole city seemed quiet and gloomy after Saturday afternoon. It was if one of Chicago’s greats had passed away, and we were all in mourning.

Chicago sports and their fans have endured maybe the worst luck in sports, in the past 6 months, due to injuries. First, it was Jay Cutler breaking a thumb, then Marian Hossa almost got decapitated, on live television by Raffi Torres, and now Derrick Rose. Misery loves company, I guess.

Most experts and analysts have already sworn off the Bulls for the rest of the playoffs, as they find it impossible to win it all now without their MVP. I can’t say I don’t agree with them, but my heart says to keep on fighting. And that’s what I expect the Bulls, and the city of Chicago to do. Just like when the whole city burned down in 1871, we didn’t pack up and leave. We stayed, and we rebuilt. We stayed and continued to build the great city that I call home. I will not my point my finger at Coach Tom Thibodeau, like some pointed the finger at Mrs. O’Leary and her cow on that dreadful day. This wasn’t his fault, in no way, shape, or form did he know that was going to happen. If Bulls lead was cut to six, everyone would have been screaming to get Rose in there. You know, I know it, we all know it. Any true Bulls fan will not point the finger. This is sports, and unfortunately, injuries happen.

On Monday, Derrick visited his team while they held practice. It was a very spirited and fierce practice according to Bulls’ insiders, as Coach was screaming and barking orders like nothing has changed. That’s the attitude and determination that can will teams to victory and the Bulls are that type of team. Today will be the 28th time the Bulls have played without Derrick, this season. They are 18-9 without #1 on the court this season, so it’s not like this is unchartered terriorty. They have been here before, they have won without him, and they can do it again. Chicago and their fans can’t think about a Heat match up in the ECF at this point, which most thought was the most likely scenario. Maybe it still will be, but for now, the mission is to win Game 2 at home, and eventually eliminate the Sixers.

One game at a time, one man down, one whole city united. Win it for Derrick.

Be sure to follow me on twitter @windycityiggy

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Unfortunately, that’s about all we’ve ruled out. Now we’ve taken to over-analyzing each frame of the late-fourth quarter drive where the injury took place. We’re obsessed with the direction and force with which his knee buckled before he hobbled toward the baseline and onto the floor.

Newsflash: It doesn’t matter.

Any Derrick Rose injury is absolutely crippling to the Chicago Bulls.

This obviously applies to any serious ligament damage, whether that be ACL, MCL, PCL, or any other “BS”L that you feel like shouting from the rooftops. We get it, you watch no fewer than four hospital-related shows on television and you’re now medically qualified. However, it also applies to any non-serious injury, as well.

Anything at all that hampers an already hampered Derrick Rose, is catastrophically detrimental to the Chicago Bulls’ chances of winning an NBA title.

They were 18-9 without Derrick Rose. That’s fantastic, in the “you were good enough to beat up on the Clevelands and Charlottes of the world” type of way. This is playoff basketball.

The Chicago Bulls will probably skate past Philadelphia with Derrick Rose in one of the form-fitting luxury suits that $200 million endorsement deals buy. Then what?

The best possible case scenario is that Derrick Rose has a minor sprain of his left knee. He’d inevitably be seated for the entire first round, and he’d be touch and go at best in the second round, but even in an accelerated return, it’s unlikely that Derrick Rose is truly at full strength if and when the Bulls reach the conference finals.

Not when you consider that, at that point, he’ll be feeling the effects of a turned ankle, a damaged toe, a fidgety back, and a — hopefully — minor sprain of the knee. How can he possibly be effective against the Miami Heat under those circumstances? With that kind of pain?

Derrick Rose is a fierce competitor — one that is willing to play through an assortment of agony — and he’ll undoubtedly make every effort to play and will his team to victory. He might even succeed on occasion, but if a healthy Derrick Rose coming off an MVP season couldn’t handle the Heat, it’d be difficult to imagine that he’d be able to handle them at 75, or at best 85, percent.

It’s a shame too, because Gar Forman, John Paxson, and Tom Thibodeau have built a team that is well-equipped to give the Heat trouble. They have far superior depth, and Rip Hamilton has found a bit of a rhythm as a secondary scorer. An injured Luol Deng has played valiantly and has bordered on stardom at times during Rose’s various absences.

But, without Rose, that all goes out the window. Even with Rose — the whip-lashed, bad back, twisted ankle, turf toe, inflamed knee version — it still goes out the window.

I hope that Rose’s injury isn’t serious, because serious ligament damage would require recovery that lasted into next season and could seriously diminish the explosiveness that has made him an elite player in this league, possibly altering a career path that seemed to be unalterable. However, serious or not, the 2011-12 Chicago Bulls are done.

Based on the last few months, it shouldn’t be a surprise that a Derrick Rose injury was what killed them.

A Chicago native, Ryan Wooden covers golf and SEC football for RantSports.com. You can follow him on Twitter @ryan_wooden and like him on facebook at Ryan Wooden- Rant Sports.

The Chicago Bulls will officially start the 2012 NBA Playoffs, as they are set to tip off at Noon, against the Philadelphia 76ers at the United Center. Not much time to tune up for teams in this shortened, lockout season. The Bulls played 2 games in 2 nights before having just one night off before the playoffs start. In a legit, 82 game season, most teams have a 3 or 4 day turnaround before the playoffs start. Not this season, and I think it will show on some teams. And one of them, just so happens to be the Bulls opponent, the 76ers. Philly was one of the early surprises in this shortened season. They started off hot, and then injuries plagued them and they sort of lost their momentum, and tanked the final 2 games to ensure a match up with the Bulls. Finishing up as the eight seed, they get to face the best record in the NBA, and maybe the most complete team in the Eastern Conference. Sixers made it known very publicly, that they preferred the Bulls over the Miami Heat, in the first round. Chicago product Evan Turner said so when he told the Delaware County Times the Sixers would be “dodging the tougher team” if they wound up facing the Bulls. Asked about Turner’s comment, Bulls center Joakim Noah grinned and said, “It’s cool.” Sixers have a strong bench and some nice young talent in players like, Lou Williams, Evan Turner, and Jrue Holiday. However, the Bulls bench mixed in with the talent of Derrick Rose, IF healthy, will prove to be too much in this series for them to handle. Philly wasn’t even a .500 team on the road this year (16-17), so I really don’t see them as a threat. Be careful what you wish for, Philadelphia.

 
Guards:
Bulls  – Derrick Rose, C.J. Watson, Rip Hamilton, Ronnie Brewer, John Lucas III
Sixers – Jrue Holiday, Jodie Meeks, Lou Williams, Evan Turner

Edge: Bulls – As stated earlier, the Sixers have an impressive core of athletic, young guards. However, the Bulls have the hometown hero in Rose, alongside Rip Hamilton who has been playing good ball down the stretch. C.J. Watson is a very worthy back-up to Rose, Brewer is one of the best baseline players in the game, and even NBA nomad Johnny Lucas can come off the bench and get hot in a hurry. Lou Williams is the second best bench scorer in the league behind James Harden, and leads the team in scoring. Jrue Holiday, has had a up and down year, but has showed some flashes of leadership at times. Evan Turner is a Chicago product, and knows Derrick’s game quite well. I’m still taking the Bulls core over the young Sixers guards. Inconsistency is a problem with some of these guys, and if Holiday or Williams have an off night, it will be game over quick.

 
Forwards:
Bulls – Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng, Taj Gibson, Kyle Korver
Sixers – Andre Iguodala, Elton Brand, Thaddeus Young, Sam Young

Edge: Bulls – Some decent match ups here, Bulls still superior. Luol Deng is a key component to the Bulls title run, and is having a spectacular season. Boozer needs to step his defense up, if he wants to be on the floor when it counts. He also has to be hitting his baseline and wing jump shots to keep his defender honest, or he will struggle. Taj Gibson is most likely a starter on any other NBA roster, but happily runs the block party when he comes in with the rest of the benchmob. Korver can be a defensive liability as well, but he can wreak havoc off screens, and give opponents’ fits all day. Iguodala is the star of the Sixers, but he just doesn’t fit well in the “elite” category of the NBA.  He can drive you crazy with idiotic plays on the offensive end, but is a top notch defender. Elton Brand, a faded bad memory in a gloomy decade for Bulls’ fans, is still going at it. He has been a little up and down this season, but still puts up double-doubles on a regular basis, and is consistent at his age. Thaddeus Young is a pretty efficient player, who can at times, hurt you. Fans in Philly seem to love this kid and consider him the glue to the team. Sam Young is nursing an injury, so not sure he will even see any playing time. Safe to say the Bulls have the edge in this one.

 
Centers:
Bulls – Joakim Noah, Omer Asik
Sixers – Lavoy Allen, Spencer Hawes, Nikola Vucevic

Edge: Bulls – Noah is the natural gas that comes out of the stove top before the ignition lights the fire. You know the little tick the stove makes right before it lights? Yea, that’s how I see Noah. You better hope that stove keeps ticking and doesn’t light, because if it does….The house is going to blow up. Noah sets the tone, and supplies the energy for the Bulls and their fans. However, there are some nights where Noah just doesn’t have it. Call it fatigue; call it a bad night, but he does have those days. I see him having a field day in this series against rookie Allen or Hawes. Omer Asik, a.k.a. The Super Bull From Istanbul, has really developed into a decent back-up role on the Bulls. He’s no Luc Longely, but I like to compare the two for some odd reason. He can make silly fouls and forget his rotations, but he can also be a premier shot blocker, and a force down low. Sixers have announced that coach Doug Collins has pegged, Rookie Lavoy Allen as the starting center for the series. A surprise by many, since he has only appeared in 41 games this season, and averages a measly 4 points a game. He won’t get big minutes, most likely around 20, splitting duties with Spencer Hawes, but this is still a surprise. Some team chemistry issues might be going on because when coach Collins was asked who would start at center a few days ago, he replied, “I don’t know who it’s going to be, but it won’t be Vuce.”

Coaches:

Bulls – Tom Thibodeau 

76ers – Doug Collins

Edge: Bulls – No brainer here, as Coach Thibodeau is by far the superior head coach. He is relentless, he is fierce, and he means business. Not a knock on former Bulls coach, Doug Collins, but he is outclassed here.

Bulls may have only gone 8-5, in April, but this should be a rather easy task for the Windy City, as long as the roster stays away from any new injuries. Bulls take Game 1 personal, for calling them the weaker team, and set the tone. Philly might steal one at home, but this should be one of the first series to finish.
Series Prediction: Chicago Bulls 4-1 series win.

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What’s important for the Bulls is Hamilton’s ability to move without the ball, and create his own shot. Last year, Derrick Rose had to do everything himself without a lot of help and that can’t happen again. If the Bulls want to be a finals contender, they’re going to need Richard Hamilton to do the things he does well.

If Hamilton proves to be a weapon, the Bulls are going to be dangerous. It’s going to allow Derrick Rose to pick his spots, run the offense, and distribute the basketball a little bit more than usual, and that’s where the Bulls are great. This is one of the few teams out there that go 10 players deep, and that’s fun to watch. Either way, this team is going to have a major shot, but it’ll depend on Hamilton and how he performs in the postseason. I don’t know about anyone else, but I can’t wait to see how the Bulls react this year. They aren’t far away from being a title team, so let’s hope Richard Hamilton can serve as the 2nd go to guy on the offensive side of the floor.

The Chicago Bulls came away with the overtime win against the Detroit Pistons last night. In what normally should be an easy game for the Bulls, it looked more like a late 80′s Bad Boys/Bulls match up. Flagrant fouls, busted noses, and late game heroics were all part of the madness in D-Town last night. Big time players, make big time plays though, and that’s exactly what Derrick Rose did. After a missed free throw by Rodney Stuckey, Joakim Noah grabbed the rebound and tossed it to the MVP. He went right up the court and drilled a top of the key 3 pointer with 6.4 seconds left. The Bulls would handle it from there and won, 100-94 in overtime. Tonight, they face the Washington Wizards and some upsetting news came from the front office. Luol Deng is now doubtful with a rib injury, and Derrick Rose has a new injury unknown to the public until just a few minutes ago; a right foot injury. I said it before, and I’ll say it again. Derrick should not be seeing 35+ against a team like the Pistons, win or lose. It’s just NOT WORTH IT, Bulls fans. Stay tuned….

This is what Rose had to say after the game last night:

“I was mad,” Rose said. “I’m sick and tired of people trying to take cheap shots at me. You got to say something.”

This time, he took matters into his own hands. He felt it was time to stand up for himself against Villanueva.

“You got to,” Rose said. “He didn’t even aim for the ball. At least go for the ball. I felt like he didn’t and that’s the reason why I got mad a little bit.”

Rose isn’t sure why he feels like some players go after him.

“I really don’t know,” he said. “Probably because I don’t say anything or whatever, but I’m a man, where in situations like that you have to say something.”

It’s clear frustration is mounting, and Rose is only 15th in total free throws shot, and does take his fair share of licks because of his drives to the basket, but either way- when Rose gets knocked down, it’s up to the “bigs” to have his back. Rose shouldn’t have to fight all his own battles. That’s why the Bulls had guys like Charles Oakley back in the 80′s. His main job was to protect Michael Jordan. Someone needs to step in and do the same thing, or Rose is going to continue taking cheap shots.