Bulls vs. Lakers: Watch Derrick Rose Deliver Thrilling Christmas Finish

The Lakers completely imploded on opening day, succumbing to Derrick Rose's late-game heroics and starting off the season in the worst possible way imaginable.

Kobe Bryant had an impressive game, but his inability to close out the game and losing on their home floor in the manner that they did sets the tone for what is sure to be a season of disappointment.

The Lakers are in serious need of a roster shakeup, and today showed exactly why. While they competed hard against a talented Bulls team and the Black Mamba was spectacular, they still couldn't escape with a win.

They've started off this season on an awful note, and this is the sort of loss that can turn into a series of losses in a hurry.

The Lakers don't have time for this sort of disappointment. The shortened season is going to make everything move in a hurry, and struggling in the manner the Heat did in the beginning of the 2010-2011 season isn't going to be acceptable this season.

On the flip side, Rose showed the world why he is an early MVP favorite once again and how good the Bulls can be.

The East is wide open, and though they'll have to make it past the Heat, they are a heavy hitter that nobody in the conference—or the NBA—will want to square off against in the postseason.

This result will undoubtedly propel the Bulls into a magical season and weigh on the minds of the Lakers as they look to rebound. This is a Christmas the Lakers will want to forget soon.

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