NBA Playoffs 2012: Why Derrick Rose's Injury Taints Title Push for LeBron James

I'm sure you know by now that Derrick Rose's run in the 2012 NBA playoffs is over, thanks to a torn ACL in the Bulls' first-round matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers.

While the debate will go on surrounding who's to blame for the reigning MVP's season-ending injury and how losing their star point guard will impact the Chicago Bulls' pursuit of a 2012 NBA title, there's no doubt that it has a significant impact on the outcome of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Before Rose's injury, we all thought fans were destined to see a rematch of last year's Eastern Conference Finals between the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat.

Now that Rose is out though, the Eastern Conference title looks like it's not going to be going through Chicago anymore.

The shift of the Eastern Conference now focuses to the number two team in the East—the Miami Heat.

While the Eastern Conference title now appears to be rolling straight through South Beach, there's no doubt that Derrick Rose's torn ACL will have a huge impact on one player, and that player is LeBron James.

There are quite a few things that Rose's torn ACL means for LeBron James and the first thing it means is that LeBron's 2012 playoff push will be even more highly scrutinized than it was before. 

LeBron's 2012 NBA playoff push is under the microscope even more with Rose out

I'm sure you've heard basketball fans or NBA fans utter this phrase about LeBron's 2011-12 season: 

"It's NBA title or bust for LeBron and the Heat.  If LeBron doesn't win his first title this year his legacy will take a serious hit." 

To say that LeBron's 2012 playoff performance was under a microscope before Rose went down with his torn ACL would be a vast understatement.

Now that LeBron's biggest competitor in the Eastern Conference is out of the playoffs his path to a second NBA finals appearance is certainly easier, but that also means that more is expected out of LeBron and the way he leads the Miami Heat.

If LeBron falters just a little bit in the Eastern Conference playoffs, his critics will jump all over him.

If the Heat face off against the Bulls and LeBron vanishes from even one game or even a part of one game, now that Rose is out, his detractors will focus on how even with the everything in his favor he still falters.

While LeBron's course to an NBA Finals appearance is that much more clear now that Rose is out, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's going to be easier for him, when it comes to the way people perceive his production in the playoffs. 

 A 2012 NBA title for LeBron will be tainted, at least a little

For argument's sake, let's say that LeBron and the Heat run through the playoff competition and win the 2012 NBA championship.  

If that happens, it will be a step in the right direction for LeBron's epic legacy, but there's no doubt that LeBron's critics will point to Rose's absence as a reason to discount his first ring.

Any true competitor will tell you that winning is that much sweeter when you've beaten the best at their best, and unfortunately, LeBron doesn't have that luxury this season as one of his biggest competitors is out of the playoff picture.

If LeBron hoists the 2012 Larry O'Brien championship trophy at the end of the season, his biggest critics will point to the fact that he didn't have to beat the best to win his first ring, and they will use that to tarnish the foundation of his NBA legacy.

While it shouldn't matter who LeBron beats on his way to his first NBA championship, the fact of the matter is that it will matter, and it will complicate LeBron's legacy that much more.

With that being said, Derrick Rose's torn ACL not only complicates the potential legacy of a 2012 NBA title for LeBron, it also robs NBA fans of the best and most competitive possible Eastern Conference Finals matchup.

While Rose's injury certainly impacts the Chicago Bulls and their playoff success the most, the impact Rose's torn ACL has on LeBron is a close second.