Through the season the writing was on the wall, Rip Hamilton immediately injured, Derrick Rose hobbled all year, Luol Deng with his wrist. A magical thing happened, even with the injuries... The Bulls still managed the leagues best record.
The team's success proved even more so that this team had what it took to win it all. Finally a post Jordan championship!
Game 1 Bulls vs Sixers - up 12 with a minute 26 left on the clock Rose falls awkwardly after a hop step clutching his knee. ChicagoSports collective breathe stopped. Medical reports later confirmed our worse thoughts, Derrick Rose tore his ACL. Not only was the title dreams of Chicago out the window, the team itself lost its confidence.
The Bulls then dropped the next 3 games, and lost their on-court emotional leader Jokim Noah. The series it's officially over, but it might as well be. All that is left is a fat lady and the blame game. I don't have a fat lady, but here goes the blame....
After being exposed last season in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Bulls #1 goal was to add a dynamic player who could create his own shot off the dribble. Our acquisition? Rip Hamilton.
Don't get me wrong, Rip was a very good pick up. Has a ton of experience. Has a very good playoff resume. Has been a very good spot shooter over his career. What he wasn't was, a difference maker who can create. That is what was needed.
The team on the court did not fail. And STOP blaming Coach Thibs for having Rose in the game. This is a Guy Foreman mistake. Point a finger at the front office and the second straight failure in free agency.
The 2012 offseason has 1 single goal - get the best player available that creates. You are down Derrick Rose until maybe late in the season, and with this roster there is NO excuse to not pick up a guy.
I am saying it now, if the Bulls do not sign that guy, and we falter again early in the playoffs in 2013, Gar-Pax, you are fired. Then the rest of the Bulls future becomes very, very cloudy.
