| |
|
Out-of-sync MVP hopes to play better
By Scott Au PhilBoxing.com Sat, 14 Apr 2012

CHICAGO -- The rust was expected. After all, he had missed 12 straight games this seaosn and 23 overall after dealing with issues concerning his toe, ankle and groin.
But not even Derrick Rose, the league's reigning MVP, could have imagined how bad his performance would be following his return Thursday night at the United Center against bitter rivals the Miami Heat.
Well, as they say, stuff happens.
And that's exactly what happened in the Bulls's improbable 96-86 overtime victory over the Heat. Rose had a forgettable 2-point performance. He made just 1-of-13 field goals and missed all three of his 3s. And he did not shoot a single free throw.
Rose did have eight assists in nearly 26 minutes of play, but he was also mired by three turnovers and the Bulls were outscored by 27 points when he was on the floor.
Bulls fans need not worry, though. The shy franchise player vowed to do better late in the regular season and into the postseason, where Chicago appears as the very likely No.1 seed overall.
"I'm just trying to get my rhythm back," he told the Chicago Tribune. "I've had worse games than this. These games right here will make me a better player, a stronger player. I'm just happy we got the win. That's the only thing that matters to me. C.J. (Watson) and the other bench guys played great. They're the reason we won."
Indeed, the Bulls bench are amazingly spectacular this season, giving the Bulls a 16-7 record without Rose and a 7-2 mark without Luol Deng, who is nursing broken ligaments in his left wrist.
But make no mistake, the Bulls need Rose to play better to sustain a deep playoffs run. (Scott Au)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Scott Au.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Deniega to fight Oka in Japan By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 02 Jan 2026Illness forces Paddy Donovan to withdraw from IBF Welterweight World Eliminator January 16 versus Liam Paro in Australia , Fri, 02 Jan 2026Canadian World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki returning to ring March 7th , Thu, 01 Jan 2026Lover Boy on hot streak By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025Silvano fights Gurung on January 13 in Hong Kong By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025GM Laylo faces tough competition in Caloocan rapid chess By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025GOLDEN BOY DELIVERS A LOADED UNDERCARD OF STAR PROSPECTS FOR ROCHA VS. CURIEL II , Wed, 31 Dec 2025Arca wins silver in Eastern Asian Juniors Chess Championships 2025 By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025Donaire awaits WBA order By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 30 Dec 2025Anthony Joshua injured in car crash in Nigeria By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 30 Dec 2025Sampson Boxing Signs Red Hot Middleweight Vito Mielnicki Jr to Exclusive Promotional Contract , Tue, 30 Dec 2025Undefeated Carl Jammes Martin Plots Next Move as New Year Unfolds , Mon, 29 Dec 2025Alvin Gayeta Roma leads Mansa Engineering Consultancy Team B to rule New York Chess Academy Team Tournament; pockets P100,000 By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 29 Dec 2025Llover, Casimero stop foes in Japan By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 28 Dec 2025Organizing Committee Meets for Dr. Eugene Torre Rapid Chess Tournament Honoring FIL-CHI’s Golden Anniversary , Sun, 28 Dec 2025KEYSHAWN DAVIS RETURNS ON THE RING 6 UNDERCARD AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN , Sun, 28 Dec 2025IM Datu captures 4th IIEE Chess SIKAT, Jeremy Marticio repeat champ for 5th mini-tournament By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 27 Dec 2025THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS INOUE AND PICASSO CLASH IN RIYADH , Fri, 26 Dec 2025THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES , Fri, 26 Dec 2025THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI OPEN WORKOUTS COMPLETE AS UNDISPUTED KING INOUE GETS READY FOR PICASSO CLASH IN RIYADH , Thu, 25 Dec 20253-Time, 2-Division World Champion & IBF No. 1, Mandatory Bantamweight World Title Challenger Miyo Yoshida long overdue for her 8th World title fight , Thu, 25 Dec 2025Game On! 1st Paower Pickleball Cup Ignites Action in San Fernando By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 25 Dec 2025Late Replacement Tellez Ready to Shock the World Against Amanda Serrano for WBA & WBO Featherweight Titles on January 3 in Puerto Rico , Wed, 24 Dec 2025The Pryce is right again! , Wed, 24 Dec 2025Postal Stamp Honoring Muhammad Ali will be present in January 15 By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 24 Dec 2025 |

|
|
|
|
|