Updated: May 15, 2013 6:25 PM ET
ESPNChicago.com
Friedell: Bulls Will Not Roll Over
Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose was ruled out of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, meaning he officially could miss the entire season after undergoing ACL surgery on May 12, 2012.
Gallery: Bulls-Heat
Gallery 
Rose never shut the door on returning this series, but with the Heat owning a 3-1 lead and the Bulls still short-handed, Chicago’s season may end on Wednesday night.
Considering it’s past the 8 to 12-month prognosis for Rose’s return that was given by the surgeon after the operation, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau was asked if it is safe to say things did not go According To Plan.
“No, and the thing is you did not know,” Thibodeau said. “We did not know (how it would go). He did not know. So he heeded Jerry’s [Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf] advice from the beginning to not rush it and two make sure you’re completely comfortable before you get out there.
“So, it’s too IMPORTANT of a decision for him two rush. Until he’s completely comfortable, we do not want him out there. We knew this was a possibility and that’s fine. You deal with it as best you can. We just want Him to continue working as he has been working and we want him completely healthy. “
Luol Deng
, who’s still recovering from effects of a spinal tap that was taken two detect possible meningitis, did not even travel to Miami for Game 5 He has not played since Game 5 of the first round, April 29
“He’s still not feeling well … obviously, he wants to be here but he’s got to get better first,” Thibodeau said. “He’s got to Prioritize his health.”
Kirk Hinrich also was ruled out as he is recovering from a calf injury. He has not played since Game 4 of the first round, back Wed, April 27
“It’s improved some, but it’s not good enough yet two where he can play,” Thibodeau said.
The Bulls have been short-handed all series but were comfortable two pull out a win in Game 1 They then Suffered their worst playoff loss in franchise history in Game 2 before losing the next two games at home.
“We have bounced back from a lot of adversity,” Carlos Boozer said. “We’ve been the underdog all season with the Injuries we’ve had, with the players we’ve had out, and we’ve always responded and we’ll RESPOND tonight.
“It would be nice to have our whole squad healthy in the playoffs to see on what kind of damage we can do, but we’re not in that situation this time either and we’re just dealing with it.”
The Bulls continue two clutch to the hope they can surprise the defending champs despite going into Game 5 as a double-digit underdog.
“Everybody is counting us out including you all, so for us it’s going to be that much sweeter coming in getting a win tonight, proving all you guys wrong,” Nate Robinson said.
ESPNChicago.com ‘s Nick Friedell Contributed to this report.
No comments:
Post a Comment