| |
|
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:
WBO Asia Pacific super bantamweight champion Gabriel Santisima set to defend title tomorrow in Malungon, Sarangani Province , Fri, 10 Jul 2026BiYu Promotions Launches "Fights Under the Lights" with Star-Studded Card Featuring the Return of the Grandy Twins , Fri, 10 Jul 2026Full card set for ProBoxTV on July 18 in San Bernardino , Fri, 10 Jul 2026IBA President Umar Kremlev promises world-class spectacle ahead of IBA PRO 19 showdown , Fri, 10 Jul 2026Ataev-Uzcategui WBA title eliminator officials named By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 10 Jul 2026GM Joey Antonio is set to defend his titles at the upcoming sixth Gov. Henry S.Oaminal Chess Championships By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 10 Jul 2026Triple title header in UKC slugfest on July 12 By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 09 Jul 2026Coming soon Chávez vs Chávez new documentary TV series By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 09 Jul 2026ANDY RUIZ JR. PENS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM , Thu, 09 Jul 2026US based NM OJ Reyes eyes another title By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 09 Jul 2026Legane fights on August 2 in Japan By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 08 Jul 2026"The Greatest" Muhammad Ali biographical mini series to stream on Prime Video starting November 4 By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 08 Jul 2026Ramon Cardenas-Leonardo Carrillo, plus two more 10-round fights added to Lester Martinez-Luka Plantic card , Wed, 08 Jul 202656th Annual NABF Convention Concludes with Resounding Success in Savannah, Georgia By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 08 Jul 2026IBA President Umar Kremlev: IOC had no choice but to accept lifting the restrictions on Russian athletes , Wed, 08 Jul 2026Martin dares Inoue, Casimero By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 07 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 6 JULY 2026: Abdullah Mason Stops Albert Bell in 12; Carrington Outpoints Palacios; Wins by Mossely, Sadjo, El Hadri. By Eric Armit, , Tue, 07 Jul 2026Quiñonero to fight again on August 28 By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 07 Jul 2026MannyPay Global Launches U.S. Merchant Processing Division to Help Small Businesses Lower Payment Costs and Accelerate Growth , Tue, 07 Jul 2026Murat Gassiev to face Peter Kadiru for the WBA Heavyweight world title , Tue, 07 Jul 2026Bansilan, Tan rule Faith Run , Tue, 07 Jul 2026Teremoana and new Matchroom Boxing signing Zerafa confirmed for big August 12 card in Australia , Mon, 06 Jul 2026Jayson Vayson Returns to World Rankings By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 06 Jul 2026Yor beats Salisad in technical decision, wants rematch By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 06 Jul 2026War, Chess, and Writs: Why Mayweather vs. Pacquiao II is Postponed, Not Scrapped By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 06 Jul 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|