| |
|
NBA PLAYOFFS - Bulls lean on C.J. Watson to take over at point
By Fakhouri Amjid
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 02 May 2012
CHICAGO -- Life without Derrick Rose charges on for the Chicago Bulls Tuesday night when they host the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2 of their best-of-7 opening round series at the United Center.
The Bulls captured Game 1, 103-88, Saturday night and took a 1-0 lead. But it turned out to be the franchise's "saddest win ever" as Rose, the reigning MVP tore his ACL in the final 1:10 of play. After surgery and rehabilitation, he will be out for six to nine months.
Beneath the grim news, however, hope rises in the form of C.J. Watson, the dependable back-up point guard who has steered the Bulls' ship in this injury-ravaged season. In the 27 games that Rose has missed due to an assortment of ailments, the Bulls won 18 and lost just 9.
Oh yes, these are the playoffs. The stakes are higher, the competition stiffer. But Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau has complete faith on the 6-foot-2, 175-pound Watson.
"He's an excellent pick-and-roll player," Thibodeau told the Chicago Tribune. "He can push the ball in transition. He's a terrific 3-point shooter. He has good quickness. And he knows how to run the team. He understands his teammates' strengths and weaknesses. He has played with the starters and bench guys. He has a really good feel for that."
Bulls general manager Gar Forman mirrors Thibodeau's confidence on Watson.
"We had followed him really for a couple of years before he came. We think he's got the ability to run the team, the ability to play with pace, the ability to make shots. He was our kind of guy. We thought he would fit in with our guys," Forman said.
A four-year pro out of the University of Tennessee, Watson has played in a total of 305 NBA regular season games averaging 7.8 points, 2.6 assists and 1.9 rebounds per. Before signing a two-year deal with the Bulls in the summer of 2010, Watson played in Europe and the D-League.
Watson, who played three years with the Golden State Warriors, makes $3.4 million in salaries this season. (Fakhouri Amjid)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Fakhouri Amjid.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Return of Ryan Garcia
By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026“It’s moments a kid dreams off.” Sam Rennie returns for title challenge March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
, Wed, 25 Feb 2026‘It’s going to be a great fight and most importantly looking forward to the 10 pints together after it’ Billy Quinncroft challenges for Cruiserweight title March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
, Wed, 25 Feb 2026Magdalena Contreras Municipality and WBC start "Boxing for Peace" in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026United States Captures Four More Wins on Day Two of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
, Wed, 25 Feb 2026Date set for Manny-Money 2
By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026Knockout Artist Sugar Martinez (17-0, 17 KOs) Makes His US Debut Against Philly Veteran Daiyan Butt
, Wed, 25 Feb 2026IM Yap outwits GM Gareyev, shares lead; Maribao split the point with GM Quizon in Round 3 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 25 Feb 20262 Division World Champion José Luis Castillo Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
, Wed, 25 Feb 2026Doors open for Manny
By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026MEXICAN TITANS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD HIGHLIGHTING CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS!
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Alex Bray and Gabriela Tellez Capture WBA Titles, Dainier Pero Scores Impressive Stoppage at “Night of Champions XIV” in Orlando
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Cebuana Lhuillier Gems Officially Join Inaugural Pickle Yard Conference League
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026ADAMES AND AMMO CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE IN ORLANDO ON MARCH 21
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Filipino Alexis Emil Maribao shocks Indonesian Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto in the Manny Pacquiao International Open Chess opener
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Team USA Notches Perfect Day to Open 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Floyd Mayweather Vs. Manny Pacquiao Set for Blockbuster Professional Rematch Streaming Live Globally on Netflix Saturday, September 19
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Zulueta, Bactol, Dologuin, Almacen Score Knockout Wins in Thailand (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Francisco wins PBF flyweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026San Diego’S Boxing Stars Julius Ballo and Jonny Mansour to Headline the Inaugural Edition of Sd Fight Night on April 18, 2026, at Frontwave Arena
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Fighting for NBA Americas title
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Integrated Sports to distribute ‘The MGM Slam Presented by Capital One PPV’ on Sunday, March 1 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026125 climbers reach Mt. Apo in Sta. Cruz
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Opening Round Bouts Set for Team USA at 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament
, Mon, 23 Feb 2026Jean Henri Lhuillier Expresses Pride as Cebuana Lhuillier-Backed Blu Girls Secure Wild Card Entry to WBSC World Cup
By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 23 Feb 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
