Slice of Life: Surgery Ends Season for Bulls’ Rose

November 26, 2013 @ admin → No Comments

Random thoughts while wondering whether the headline for today’s effort shouldn’t really be: “Slice of Life: Surgery Ends Season for Bulls, Rose”:

Katarina Van Derham just might take your mind off the Bulls’ troubles.

* The Chicago Bulls lost to the Utah Jazz 89-83 in overtime Monday in Salt Lake City. The Jazz entered the game with a 1-14 record, worst in the NBA. The loss occurred on the same day that Bulls guard Derrick Rose underwent what was termed “successful surgery” on his right knee. The Bulls said he will miss the rest of the season. In case anyone was looking for one of the worst days (if not the worst) in franchise history.

* The true definition of “successful surgery” for Rose is an operation that guarantees a return to MVP form and no future injuries. Which means the doctor performing the procedure might have needed a magic wand as well as a scalpel.

* The Bulls provided a statement from chairman Jerry Reinsdorf: “Like Bulls fans everywhere, I was heartbroken when I heard of Derrick’s injury. We are happy to know that, according to his doctors, his surgery was successful, and in time, Derrick is expected to make a full recovery. Everyone at the Bulls knows firsthand how extremely hard Derrick worked to return to the court this year, and I have no doubt he will do the same with regards to his recovery from this injury. Despite Derrick’s absence, this is still a good team. I know from last year, this team and coaching staff will continue to make our fans proud.”

* A rough translation of that statement: “Geez, he’s gonna miss another season? Do we have an insurance policy for that? Make sure the marketing, advertising and ticket-sales departments include him in the 2014-15 promotions. Talk to adidas about doing another series of comeback commercials. This means we can trade Deng now, right? And anyone else we can move. The fans showed up for more than a decade after our last title in 1998 with Michael and filled the United Center. We still can do that. Who’s next on the list to coach us? Whaddya think about any of the players available in the draft for next season? White Sox pitchers and catchers report to spring training when exactly?” Yep, that was pretty much it.

* “Scrappy” is one way to describe the Bulls. Something says unless things improve dramatically, more than a few people will be dropping the “s” in that adjective by the all-star break (if not considerably sooner).

* While the Bulls were feeling a bit down, that collective sigh of relief you might have heard came from Lake Forest and Halas Hall, where the Bears had to be somewhat relieved that the spotlight was shining elsewhere. In reality (where sports fans occasionally reside), the Bears will play Sunday at Minnesota. Once again, the Bears will be without quarterback Jay Cutler. Which the team might be accustomed to by now. What they might have to adjust to is the possible absence of running back Matt Forte, who suffered a hyperextended knee in the team’s loss to the St. Louis Rams. There is no “i” in “team,” but there certainly is in “injury.” Ouch!

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