The Chicago Bulls may be coasting to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, but the road to the Finals is getting rockier by the day.
Derrick Rose returned on Sunday after missing 35 of 57 regular season games, only to miss a shot at the buzzer to seal a 100-99 OT defeat. According to KC Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, Rose injured his ankle during the game:
Rose, for starters, tweaked an ankle at some point in Sunday's game, which he finished. The extent of the injury is unknown, however sources said Rose wore a walking boot on Monday.
The Bulls have gone 16-7 this season without their MVP, but are beginning to really struggle. They had lost 2-of-3 heading into the Knicks game as the team was forced to deal with a banged up CJ Watson as well. They exacted revenge on the Knicks last night, thanks in large part to a randomly great performance from Richard Hamilton.
The core of the team has had few opportunities to log time on the floor together, and the clock is rapidly ticking. Sure the team is essentially the same as last year…but isn’t that the problem?
The Bulls would have been swept by the Heat if it wasn’t for Rose last May, and with his ankle, back and foot injuries plaguing him throughout the year, how is he magically going to get healthy and play his best ball at the most important time?
The team is used to Watson and John Lucas III as their point men now. In this lockout-shortened season, there's no time for Rose to get comfortable on the floor with his teammates. Like cramming for the SAT’s at the last second (cheap shot a Rose, sorry), the result is not going to be what you're fully capable of.
When GM John Paxson was asked by ESPN Chicago’s Nick Fredell about his team’s fortunes, he didn’t exactly sound overflowing with optimism:
I think my biggest worry and I think (general manager) Gar's (Forman) biggest worry is we've been hoping to get some continuity going into the playoffs, getting our roster back intact and trying to find a way to start playing well leading into the playoffs and playing our best basketball heading in. But it's very difficult when you have injuries and your rotations aren't set.
The Bulls are not going to get bounced in the first round; the bottom seeds aren’t good enough. But what about a second-round matchup against the Boston Celtics? Rajon Rondo would carve a hobbled Rose to pieces.
With Rose out yet again, time is running out. The rotations and roles of the team aren’t going to be fully known until the second season begins.
It’s hard to see the Bulls winning a title with the way this season has played out. There isn’t enough time to fix the problem and fans are left hoping Rose can return to form in the next two weeks for the grueling grind of the postseason.
There is a serious thorn in the Chicago Bulls' rose.
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