I feel bad for Rose. But I feel worse for the rest of the team — all the sacrifices they made and work they put in to give D-Rose time to heal and be ready to help them in the playoffs, all for nothing. Not that Rose is to blame; unless he was giving his middle finger to his yoga instructor all last summer, these are injuries that happen, and it’s no surprise that it was his knee, since injuries had already pinballed around from his back to his groin to his foot to his ankle this season. When one part of the body is hurt, another place picks up the stress of having to compensate. Rose needs to put everything into his rehab, as I’m sure he will, and keep his head up as he does it. But meanwhile, the rest of the gang, still here in the playoffs. I hope they glue their feet to the pedal and the pedal to the floor; I hope they have fun believing that they could, if they work hard and smart enough, still win. Sure, they have to compensate for the loss of Rose, but there’s no stress to it. A Bulls team without Rose can fail without repercussions. Rather than giving up, that should make them want to give all they can to winning. Noah might as well try to run the opposing bigs to their knees; why not? You’ll have all summer to breathe. Kyle Krover and Rip Hamilton might as well sharpen up and start shooting, and John Lucas III too, no one will hold any shot against them now. Taj and Deng can get ready to shut people down, Asik to hold his arms really high straight up in the air. They might as well give everything they've got. If they do it and lose, we’ll love them more for it. And if they happen to win (or at least beat Miami), well, that would really be something, wouldn’t it? Matthew Nelson
It’s safe to say that Derrick Rose will miss the majority of next season. If Luol Deng delays wrist surgery until after the Olympics, he’ll likely miss a large chunk of the season too. Factor in the potential loss of either Omer or Taj due to salary cap restrictions, next year is not looking good. Is it possible that next year’s Bulls team won’t make the playoffs and are bound for the lottery? Chris DeMay
You can tell from your writings about Rose over the year what a fine person he is and a good all around guy. How will Rose handle this? Jeff Lichtenstein
I would like to know if Derrick Rose needs surgery to repair his torn ACL which I hope he doesn't can I some way donate one of my ligaments or hamstring to Derrick? I know it sounds weird but honestly he's my hero and my brother's hero I would like to say I did something like this in my life. Miguel Amado
Just looking ahead, anticipating Rose will be out for the early part of next season, what are your thoughts on acquiring Steve Nash? He still has a good year or two left in him. And with his experience, could influence Rose on how he can change his game if his athleticism wears off. Michael Jarabelo
Now that I'm not quite as angry over D-Rose's injury, I'm left wondering what now for the Bulls, will they keep this group? Can we afford to pay Noah, Deng, Boozer, and D-Rose over $10 million a year? I mean if D-Rose doesn't come as great a player as we was before this torn ACL I can't see this Bulls as a title contender, middle of the pack in the east is much more likely. What do you think Gar/Pax will do? Is it too early to start rebulding? I still want Derrick as a Bull, just don't he will be able to carry the team as he once did? Alberto Guzman
I know the season is not over, but the roster needs some changes. We need a wing who can create and a post scorer. Do you trade Deng or Noah? They rely on Rose too much to score. Dan Wetter
After Amar'e won the stupid award the other night, there is talk of him being traded. Would you trade Boozer for him? Steve Schnakenberg
Is Kirk a possible Rose replacement? He replaced a Bull once before in Jay Williams. Mike Sutera
Given the series of injuries this season, do you think the Bulls are better off sitting Rose all next season? Even if the doctors say he's OK to play mid-way through (9 months from now)? If I were Bulls' management I'd have to seriously contemplate it to let him get his body right and also learn how his body will respond after the injury. He might not be able to do what he has in the past, but I believe that he's a rare breed of athlete who has the drive to be the best, even if that means changing his game — becoming a better shooter, post player, etc. I'm not saying that the Bulls should tank a season, but being realistic about the 2012-13 season and beyond getting a higher draft pick and a more fully healed Rose should only help them down the road. Chris Duignan
Reasons #23, 24 and 25 why I like Doug Collins: He was the first one to go to Derrick Rose when Derrick got hurt, and he was waving for the Bulls trainers to come help as soon as he realized how serious the injury was. Collins' a competitor, but he also appreciates that players are people, and when someone's hurt, you forget about competing and help them out. His remarks to the media about the impact to the NBA of having Derrick go out, about Derrick's personal qualities, and his texts to Bulls management to the same effect. I very much appreciate his perspective on what the NBA is, what/who it needs to help sustain its appeal, and that it in no way diminishes him or his authority over the 76ers for him to express his personal appreciation for an opposing player. The way he didn't let any of his personal regard for Derrick and regret over the way Derrick's season ended temper his game plan for Tuesday's game. Yes, he appreciates that it's awful how Derrick's season ended, but he used Derrick's absence to great advantage in his game plan. When it's time to play the game, you play to win, and Collins set aside any sympathy he felt for Derrick's situation to do his job. Thibs would love to have coached Collins the player. Peter Millburg
Do the Bulls have a lottery pick in the 2012 draft? Israel Robinson
I guess it's good we didn't trade the Charlotte pick. I can't think of an elite NBA player who plays like Rose who was able to recover and regain his old form after an injury like that. Is there the possibility of placing an amnesty on him within the next few years to get that huge contract off the books so the Bulls can get back to rebuilding again? What a shame. Tony Amarro
What is the possibility of the Bulls pursuing free agent Deron Williams? Would Deron be open to coming to the Bulls and would he be a good fit? (I'm thinking with Boozer, Kolver and Brewer being former team mates and the Bulls being a championship contender, this should be an easy sale.) I guess most importantly do the Bull's have the money and willingness to pay?
Art Moore
Why is Mark Aguire not in the Hall of Fame? I would think that based on his College and Pro career he would garner some consideration. Having watched basketball since the early 80's it is funny how much of an influence SportsCenter has had on player selections. I still cannot beleive Rodman got in, at least as quick as he did. Alvin Coleman
I hope our Bulls fans watched the Clippers vs Memphis game. This should explain why Rose was still in the game. 12 point leads with a 1:30 on the clock in a playoff game is not safe. That is the bottom line. Bulls up by 25 different story. Rose makes that shot and does not get hurt another different story. I dis-like when fans questioning plays like this. Alfredo Rivas
The question came of why Rose was still in with 80 seconds to go. Personally i believe its because Thib's saw this as a chance to really silence any doubts that rose was rusty and incapable, especially since he was just a rebound and assist away from a triple double. I know he's openly said that he doesn't care about those sorts of things but for rose to come to have a triple double on his the first game in the playoffs would have been phenomenal, not only for him to get a little more confidence in his play but also to send a strong statement to Phily. Was that a contributing factor why Thib's kept him in? Tamim Rahimi
I have to respectfully disagree that Thibs holds no fault in derrick's injury or that "players getting hurt is part of the game" as thibs said. Not that players getting hurt isn't part of the game, but to me it was no shocker that the left acl went. This was not a freak injury, this was a worn down left knee joint from overcompensating for a right groin and ankle. Typically, thibs, and many others in the sporting world, can't see the forest for the trees. I watched that game start to finish, and I'm saying Philly was beat even when they were (barely) threatening a late come back, they werent gonna get it. Rose could (if not should) have been watching and resting, preparing for a long playoff haul. Thibs seems to always been worried bout the next play, which is mostly how you want your coach to be, but you'd also like them to be able to step back from the next play for a second, and maybe think about the next few games. John Leichenko
After the confirmation of Rose's season ending torn ACL, I immediately thought of Adidas and Nike. Adidas' top two basketball guys in Rose and Howard are lost to season ending injuries. I looked up Iman Shumpert and turns out, he is also Adidas. Then Jason Petrie. He mocked Rose for signing with Adidas and not Nike. This may now be more than just a game, but business. Ray Palangan
I think Thibs decision to leave Rose in the game was the least important factor in Rose's injury. It was a non-contact injury. I have a background in biomechanics and kinesiology, and I can tell you that Rose simply doesn't move properly. He has no foundation for safe movement. Combined with the compressed season, lack of recovery time, and poor conditioning due to the injuries he suffered all year... the problem was compounded. This was bound to happen. Thoughts? Timothy Ward
This has been one of the most painful season ever. Not because it hurts Bulls chances of winning, but because it happened to a good guy. Which do you think is a sadder story, Jason Williams motorcycle accident of Derrick Rose out for the playoffs? Omas DeJsus
I’m as sad as the next guy about what happened to Derrick, but while i was reading articles and blogs about his injury and couldnt help but smile from all the support hes getting from non-Bulls fans. Its quite amazing how someone could be receiving such genuine get well wishes from fans whose teams who have been getting scorched by d rose the last couple year. If lebron tore an acl the basketball world would probably rejoice, but with rose everyone seems to be mourning even if their teams chances just got better. I dont know what is it about this kid but hes truly something special, a once in a lifetime kind of player and i just pray that i get to watch him again, whenever that may be. Do u recall fans from across basketball genuinely feeling sad about jordan getting hurt early in his career? Brandon Revering
April 28, 2012 joins the ranks of October 6, 1993 (MJ's first retirement) and October 14, 2003 (Bartman) as some of the darkest dates in recent Chicago sports history. After his countless precautionary DNP's throughout the regular season, this horrific outcome truly adds insult to injury (pun intended). After the heart-wrenching, season-ending collapse the Bulls endured in Game 5 of last's year's Eastern Conference Finals, I needed a few weeks to overcome the pain as a devastated fan. However, before long I was already looking forward to the following season. This go-round, the season is still perhaps far from over, and yet I fear we will watch our team die a slow and painful demise to a once-inferior mediocre team, whether it be the 76'ers, Hawks, or Celtics...or, imagine if they still make the Conference Finals yet lose to Miami (what could have been!). Unlike last year's disappointment, I wish to forego the rest of this year's playoffs, the entire off-season, and the next 82-game regular season schedule. It all seems arbitrary now. What will it matter if the Bulls notch yet another best-record in the league if it can dissipate so easily? I don't have the patience to sit through more meaningless games against Charlotte, Sacramento, or Minnesota over six long months, only to return to the spot we felt so confident in less than twenty-four hours ago. The Cubs are a disgrace. The Bears will ultimately disappoint. These Bulls were our only legitimate shot at a title in 2012. It sucks being a Chicago sports fan right now.
Mike Burgher
I took my 8 year old to the Bulls-heat game in Miami 10 days ago. ( her first game). With 4 minutes left and the Bulls down by 10, Jade said "this is over, they can't score 10 points." I said to Jade, that is why we need Rose. He can create offense and then the other team doubles on him creating open looks for Kyle Korver. Korver cant create open shots. Without Rose, their aren't so many open looks.
Since my 8 year old figured out this issue, what will be Thibs solution to the offense? Jeff Lichtenstein