Bulls-Bobcats: Derrick Rose Stinks It Up in Brutal Loss to Charlotte

The Chicago Bulls had no business losing tonight to the Bobcats, but they did just that.

For the first time all season Derrick Rose looked completely lost down the stretch.  He looked every bit the rookie tonight as he shot 3-16 from the field and had big turnovers late in the fourth quarter.

Still, with all that the Bulls had a three-point lead with 18 seconds left when the Bobcats lofted up a terrible shot from the three-point line.  But there was Derrick Rose, fouling the shooter and allowing the Bobcats to tie the game.

To be fair, replays seemed to indicate that the call was absolutely terrible.  But it was still Rose’s game to win for the Bulls at the end of regulation.

Unfortunately, as he did all night long in big spots, he ignored the rest of his team and tried to shoot over Omeka Okafor.  He could not shoot over the Charlotte center and his shot was blocked like it was all night.

Part of the blame has to go on Vinny Del Negro, who failed to adjust the offense when his star point guard was clearly struggling.  Credit Larry Brown and his coaching staff with continually frustrating Rose in a way no other team has this season.

Ben Gordon had 25 points, five assists, and just one turnover in a game where it appeared he was getting anything he wanted in the fourth quarter.  Every time he touched the ball down the stretch he either got to the line or found a teammate for a shot.

But every time Gordon gave the Bulls the lead, Del Negro called Rose’s number again and again.  He either turned the ball over or got rejected by the Bobcats.

It’s hard to blame Rose who has been such a stud for the Bulls.  But his play is what lost this game.

All of the Bulls' supporting cast did their jobs tonight.  It has to be the coach’s job to realize when his young star doesn’t have it or when the other coach is scheming to not let him take over the game. If Gordon’s number had been called a few more times down the stretch the Bulls probably would have won. 

The loss marks another game in which the Bulls failed to even their record at five hundred against a team that they should beat.

I will end the article quoting Stormin Norm Van Leer: “They ain’t that good yet,” he said, in reference to the young Bulls.

Derrick Rose will have a chance at redemption tomorrow night after the first truly terrible game of his career. 

And the up-and-down Bulls season continues.