Bulls Game No. 58: Post-Rose season begins with uninspired loss to Charlotte
24. 98. 170. Final. 86
In the first game since finding out their superstar point guard would most likely miss the rest of the season (and probably the postseason), the Chicago Bulls faded late and looked like an uninspired team that had their hearts ripped out of them just hours prior.
Late on Tuesday night, the internet shattered as the Chicago Bulls sent out a release that mentioned point guard Derrick Rose re-tearing his right meniscus and that there was no timetable for recovery or his return to action.
For folks within in the Windy City, the news was simply heartbreaking.
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“How could this be happening again?” “He worked so hard to get back!”
For a former NBA MVP — the youngest in NBA history — to go under the knife for his third knee surgery in just six seasons is rather depressing to fathom.
Fast-forward roughly 24 hours and things hadn’t changed much for the Bulls.
Five Charlotte players scored in double figures, led by Michael Kidd-Gilchrist‘s 18 points, as the Hornets defeated the Bulls in their first game without their superstar floor general.
Here’s three takeaways from Wednesday’s loss:
1. Without a star PG, the Bulls are doomed
Call it an overreaction if you’d like, but without a playmaker at point guard leading the way for a team in today’s NBA, title hopes are simply erased.
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Who are the options without Rose? Aaron Brooks and Kirk Hinrich: two veterans who saw their primes end before Rose’s even begins.
Brooks and Hinrich combined for 22 points on 8-of-21 shooting in the 98-86 loss.
2. Here’s where you earn max cash, Jimmy
Although he wasn’t bad on Wednesday, Jimmy Butler didn’t accept the first challenge of carrying the backcourt load without his usual running mate.
Butler shot 5-for-11 from the floor for 14 points, while grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out five assists. The numbers are fine, but for a fourth-year wing that’s looking for some serious money this summer, the numbers have to be great on a nightly basis for the Bulls to survive without Rose.
3. The Fountain of Youth is in Pau’s backyard
Whatever you’re drinking/eating, Pau Gasol … keep the same diet.
Gasol was awesome again on Wednesday night, leading all scorers with 25 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. The 34-year-old’s flashback season continued and once again showed that Gasol’s signing this past summer was the right one.
The Bulls can’t expect to ride a veteran on his last legs to a title, but that ol’ vet is doing everything he can to keep his new squad relevant for as long as possible.
“Stat of the Night”
Bulls fast break scoring this season:
— Jeff Mangurten (@JeffGurt) February 26, 2015
With Rose (46 gm): 12.3 per game
Without Rose (12 gm): 8.4 per game
Guess how many points the Bulls had in transition tonight? Five.
A Rose reaction up close:
Remember when I said there was a depressing buzz around the city of Chicago? That same buzz found the way to the Bulls locker room too.
Noah on his reaction to Rose injury: "Angry. Sad. Just doesn't deserve it."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 26, 2015
As for D-Rose…
There’s still a few positives to contemplate in the Rose injury situation:
- According to the Chicago Tribune’s K.C. Johnson, “multiple sources” believe that this meniscus tear isn’t as severe as the tear from November 2013.
- Bulls rookie Doug McDermott suffered a slight meniscus tear earlier this season and returned after a month out of action.
- Pending on what the doctors see when Rose has the surgery, there’s still a chance he could return this season or wait and return in the postseason.
Next up for the Bulls (36-22): Home vs. Minnesota, 2/28, 7:00 PM CT.
Next: Bulls Game No. 57: The good, the bad and the ugly from Monday's win vs. Milwaukee