Derrick Rose Can't Be Too Happy About What Bradley Beal Had to Say

Jesse Dorsey — Sat, 18 May 2013 14:01:55 -0400

Everybody has an opinion on the season that wasn't for Derrick Rose. But it seems like whenever a basketball player talks to a local radio station, he's asked to offer his opinion, which is what happened with Bradley Beal.

This has been one of the most unusual situations surrounding an injury that we've seen in a while. Rose was medically cleared to play, but he never felt confident enough to return to the court, leading to a constant back-and-forth about whether or not he would end up playing.

The Chicago Bulls' season ended after the Miami Heat knocked them out of the playoffs. That was the end of the speculation, but it was hardly the end of the interest in everything that's gone on with Rose.

Beal appeared on a Washington-based radio show and was asked his opinion on Rose not playing this season. Per Sarah Kogod of the Washington Post, he said:

That’s hard, because I’ve never experienced that injury. And I know what type of injury that is, it’s possible it’s gonna happen again. Knock on wood. But at the same time, you might have to give it a go. If you’re practicing for two months and everybody in practice is saying you’re practicing well, I figure you gotta give it a shot in a game.

But it’s his decision. I can’t really have a say so in it. If he doesn’t feel he’s mentally confident to be able to go out there and help the team, I guess I can’t really blame him for it.

Beal was then asked whether or not he would lose respect for a player who sat out despite being medically cleared to play:

A little bit. Yeah, I would. The type of player he is, and the mentality and competitiveness that he has, I think he would have gave it a go. I don’t know what was holding him back. I think he’s scared it’s probably going to happen again and he won’t be the same. But you’re never the same after an injury. But you just have to fight through it and do something else to be able to impact the game. I’m not sure what it is he has to do. I really can’t speak for him.

So, was Beal right to call Rose scared?

There had to be more than doubt in Rose's mind that kept him from getting back on the court after doctors told him that he was good to go.

This seems like one of those situations where we're never truly going to know what Rose's mentality was throughout the season, so the conversation will continue until we hear something from Rose himself.

Read more Bradley Beal news on BleacherReport.com

Damian Lillard Highlights 2012-13 NBA All-Rookie Team

Matt Fitzgerald — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:22:44 -0400

The NBA released its 2012-13 All-Rookie teams on Tuesday, and headlining the first team is dynamic Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard.

The Association's official Twitter page broke the news:

Lillard is the reigning, unanimous Rookie of the Year and was the sixth overall pick in the 2012 draft out of Weber State. He set a rookie record with 185 three-point field goals, a mark previously held by Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry.

Also on the first team with Lillard is Curry's teammate, Harrison Barnes, No. 1 overall pick Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards sharpshooter Bradley Beal and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dion Waiters.

Unsurprisingly, this group of rookies made up the top five scorers in their class, with Barnes being the lone first teamer not to average double figures.

Davis, Beal and Waiters all suffered through various injuries during their rookie seasons, forcing the youngsters to sit for significant stretches of the season. Barnes and Lillard, however, withstood the test of the grueling six-month schedule, playing in 81 and 82 contests, respectively.

As for the All-Rookie Second Team, the NBA also released that information on Twitter:

Detroit Pistons swingman Kyle Singler and 2011 No. 5 overall pick Jonas Valanciunas of the Toronto Raptors both played overseas last season, but made strong enough impressions to earn this privileged distinction upon joining their respective clubs.

No. 2 overall pick Michael Kidd-Gilchrist continues to be somewhat unfinished on the offensive end. Having said that, the Kentucky product is a gritty defender and has plenty of time to improve on a rookie campaign in which he averaged nine points and 5.8 rebounds for the Charlotte Bobcats.

Andre Drummond was considered a boom-or-bust proposition, but he is making the Detroit brass appear wise with his play thus far. In only 20.7 minutes per game, Drummond averaged 7.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks.

Cavaliers big man Tyler Zeller rounds out the second-team quintet. Zeller flashed enough promise in his debut season to justify GM Chris Grant’s costly draft-night trade to acquire him.

Read more Bradley Beal news on BleacherReport.com

Bleacher Report - Bradley Beal

Derrick Rose Can't Be Too Happy About What Bradley Beal Had to Say

Damian Lillard Highlights 2012-13 NBA All-Rookie Team