There was a time when Derrick Rose was the NBA's most beloved superstar. However, his image has taken an uppercut to the chin over the last few months. In conjunction with his brother's disparaging comments about the Bulls roster, his decision to sit out the postseason has fans wondering whether he should visit a cardiologist to explore whether his heart is still in Chicago.
Rose's post-surgery timetable last year predicted he would make his return to game action around this season’s All-Star break. That was three months ago. However, the news that Rose would miss the entire postseason set Chicago fans off. It didn't help matters that Rose was ruled out as he worked out on the court prior to Saturday's game and displayed no visible effects from the ACL tear he suffered nearly one year ago.
Joakim Noah and Luol Deng have been fighting through injuries all season, but after the Bulls got immolated by the Nets all hell was set loose on Chicago's favorite son. @DRose hasn't tweeted since March, but his Facebook page was the site of the majority of the D. Rose slander.
Arash Baller's post echoed the sentiments of much of Rose's fans: "U need to comeback! ur team needs U!!! stop making excuses!! doctors have said u R clear to play after the all star break!!! im starting to give Up ON U!!!"
Tim Ol threw a 1-2 punch in Rose's direction: "You see joakim noah last night? Thats called manning up. U r a wuss".
The Twitter vitriol may have been worse.
Derrick Rose worked out for 90 mins before Game 1 & said "My knee feels good. I'm used to it. I don't know if i'll play in playoffs." #Bulls
— Carlos Douglas Jr. (@TheRealC_Los) April 21, 2013
Lol RT @thebrittwatson: .@drose needs to give his leg to Kobe if he's not gonna use it
— Ron Livingston Jr.(@YungCurtDawg) April 21, 2013
Derrick Rose vs Kobe Bryant twitter.com/FunnyPicsDepot…
— FunnyPicsDepot (@FunnyPicsDepot) April 21, 2013
At this rate, @drose's baby PJ will probably play basketball before his dad.
— Daiana (@missdaiana) April 21, 2013
#CHIBKN what are chances a bulls player is so frustrated w/ this blowout they flip out on @drose in the locker room?
— reservoirgod (@MIA_Heat_Index) April 21, 2013
Derrick Rose spotted at Bulls shootaround. When asked if he would play today sources indicate he answered "Sheeeeeeeit."
— D'Brickashaw (@DragonflyJonez) April 21, 2013
Derrick Rose looks good in warm ups, no signs of pain, good elevation on his jump shots, cutting fine. Have to wonder if it's all mental?
— NBA Legion (@MySportsLegion) April 20, 2013
Derrick Rose's mentions are a nuclear plant right now….
— LaMar Gafford (@primetime2832) April 21, 2013
Derrick Rose should stay away from Twitter….. twitter.com/Lizzs_Lockeroo…
— Lizzuendo (@Lizzs_Lockeroom) April 21, 2013
Derrick Rose has been healed. He's acting like a real life heaux.. It doesn't take a damn year to rehab an ACL.
— Russell Payne (@Coach_Payne) April 21, 2013
Derrick Rose is 100%. One. hundred. Percent. Period. & he's doing nothing to prevent what happened tonight, from happening. Sick of this.
— scottsportsman (@scottsportsman) April 21, 2013
Adrian Peterson came back from a torn ACL within a year and was better than ever.. Someone tell me what D. Rose's deal is
— Britt Watson (@thebrittwatson) April 21, 2013
Derrick Rose on the sidelines like.. twitter.com/JulianPosts_/s…
— Julian (@JulianPosts_) April 21, 2013
Can someone take a look in that Chicago sinkhole and see whether Derrick Rose's confidence is in there?
— Russ Bengtson (@russbengtson) April 18, 2013
Derrick Rose needs to chill… twitter.com/FunnyPicsDepot…
— FunnyPicsDepot (@FunnyPicsDepot) April 16, 2013
Sure, he could get hurt. And Derrick Rose tore his ACL in the first game of the playoffs. Want to minimize risk? Retire.
— Russ Bengtson (@russbengtson) April 17, 2013
