NBA Playoffs 2012: Bad Break for Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls

When it comes down to the NBA Playoffs, nothing is more important than star power.

For a league that relies heavily on its players more than anything, the true superstars—like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade—are what NBA fans have come to love about the playoffs. To lose a member of an elite fraternity to an unforsakeable injury casts a shadow on a sport that needs its star players to shine on its biggest stage—the playoffs.

One of the NBA's best will watch the remainder of the playoffs on the sidelines in street clothes because of a knee injury.

Derrick Rose—the mercurial guard of the Chicago Bulls—tore his ACL in his left knee on Saturday in the Bulls 103-91 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in the first game of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Rose was injured with under 90 seconds remaining when Chicago was nursing a 12-point lead.

His season came to an abrupt end when Rose drove hard down the middle of the lane and attempted his patented jump-stop move—a signature move he has displayed throughout his four-year career. However, Rose's go-to move would fail him this time.

Rose, who missed 27 games during the regular season, planted both feet and jumped high. While suspended in midair, his left knee gave out, and Rose landed awkwardly, crashing to the floor in pain. Fans in attendance at the United Center were in deep silence while team officials attended to their franchise player.

The league MVP a year ago, Rose lay on the floor for several minutes wincing in pain before being helped to his feet and led off to the dressing room. Meanwhile, his Bulls teammates finished off Philadelphia to take a one-game lead in the best-of-seven series.

Several hours later, it was announced that Rose was done for the rest of the 2012 playoffs after an MRI revealed that he had torn his ACL. Now the Bulls—who finished with the top overall record for the second consecutive year—will have to find a way to win the title without their best player.

The season-ending knee injury was the climax of an unforgettable season for Rose, who had one injury after another during the NBA's truncated 66-game schedule. Because of the players' preseason lockout due to labor issues, the league had to cancel 16 games of the 2012 season, which normally would have run from November to June. The compacted schedule hindered both teams and players, especially the latter.

No player in the league was more susceptible to injury this season than Rose.

Because of his explosive athleticism, Rose is able to attack the basket with reckless abandon, which makes players like him and Miami's Dwyane Wade (another player who plays at a frenetic pace), prone to injuries. Wade has also missed extensive playing time for the Heat this season because of several nagging injuries.

Several other notable players are out for the remainder of the playoffs.

Orlando Magic All-Star center Dwight Howard was recently lost for the year because of an herniated disk in his back. Former All-Star Chauncey Billups (Los Angeles Clippers) was lost early in the season due to a torn Achilles tendon. A future All-Star, Iman Shumpert of the New York Knicks—who already had lost overnight sensation guard Jeremy Lin (torn meniscus)—will miss the rest of the Knicks playoff season after he tore his ACL this past weekend against Miami.

The aging Boston Celtics are hoping to have sharp-shooting guard Ray Allen back soon. Allen missed the Celtics' playoff opener on Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks because of a severely sprained ankle. Allen's absence was felt; Boston lost 83-74.

While injuries have been felt throughout the league, many followers are questioning whether the league started the playoffs prematurely. The regular season officially ended Thursday and playoff teams who were scheduled to open on Saturday, had very little time to rest before the grueling postseason began.

For a team like the Bulls, rest was evidently needed. Starters Luol Deng and Richard Hamilton each missed huge chunks of playing time this season because of injuries. However, Coach Tom Thibodeau once again led Chicago to the league's best record.

While many are questioning whether Rose should have been in the game with a 12-point lead with under 1:30 remaining, Thibodeau defended his decision to keep him in after Philadelphia made a run.

Although the Bulls were 18-9 without Rose, their chances of winning it all are in great danger. Chicago made it to the conference finals last season (losing to Miami 4-2) and were one of the favorites to win. Now they have to win without their best player.

Their chances of winning with Rose would have been greater, but now, we will never know.