Derrick Rose Injury: Twitter Reacts to Bulls Star's Torn Meniscus
Knee injuries prevented Derrick Rose from playing for most of the previous two seasons. After getting through 46 games of the 2014-15 NBA campaign relatively unscathed, Rose will be sidelined again with a torn meniscus.
Sam Amick of USA Today reported the ominous details of Rose's latest injury:
Rose's startling setback had Twitter reacting to the 26-year-old former league MVP's misfortune.
ESPN Insider Marc Stein summarized the sentiment many are feeling for the uniquely gifted Bulls point guard:
Rotowire's Jeff Stotts referenced Rose's history of knee issues for context:
Patrick Daugherty of Rotoworld believes the plight Rose is facing is reminiscent of Portland Trail Blazers All-Star Brandon Roy, whose balky knees forced him into premature retirement:
Washington Wizards star John Wall, a fellow floor general who shares rare company with Rose as a former No. 1 overall draft pick, wished his Eastern Conference rival all the best:
"Prayers up for the homie Drose...Wish u a speedy recover
— John Wall (@JohnWall) February 25, 2015"
NBA stars LeBron James, Jamal Crawford, DeAndre Jordan, Mo Williams, Hassan Whiteside and Marco Belinelli also offered their condolences:
"I feel like I'm hurt, that's how bad I feel for D Rose. Smh #gooddude
— Mo Williams (@mowilliams) February 25, 2015"
James talked more about his thoughts on Rose in a new B/R Uninterrupted video:
Robert Flores of ESPN also weighed in on the news:
David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune noted how little solace could be taken in the Windy City's other major professional sports team in action on Tuesday:
ESPN Stats & Info added how the Bulls have fared without Rose in 2014-15—and how often he's been out of the lineup:
Bleacher Report's Ethan J. Skolnick analyzed what Rose's injury means to the perceptibly top-heavy playoff picture in the East:
Not only is Rose's injury devastating for Chicago's players and fans, but it also deprives the Association of a transcendent talent who was just starting to rediscover his groove. Anyone who appreciates basketball has to feel for Rose after another knee problem.
Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau has had to work around Rose's absence in the past and still managed to guide Chicago to the playoffs in the two years Rose was hurt. However, the squad isn't a true championship contender without Rose on the court.
Jimmy Butler has stepped up to become the Bulls' leading scorer, and the acquisition of All-Star Pau Gasol will also help Chicago in its prospective postseason run. It just likely won't be enough to get out of the East, where the two prohibitive favorites appear to be Atlanta and Cleveland.
Until Rose is fully fit for playoff basketball—which he hasn't been since the first round in 2012—it's a stretch to envision the Bulls even advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals with their current nucleus.
Perhaps most troubling about Tuesday's news is that such a day may never come.
