Derrick Rose is the NBA MVP, and the most important player in the Chicago Bulls' second-round NBA Playoffs series against the Atlanta Hawks and -- right now -- a magnificent question mark. Chicago was so incredibly predictable this season; opponents knew they'd be defended as a diamond mine and assaulted by heavy, heavy doses of perhaps the most athletically well-controlled point guard the league's every seen. Rose is a tight spiral of a ballhandler, and he's learned to turn himself into billiards ball in the lane.
Bulls Vs. Hawks, Game 2: All Eyes On Derrick Rose (And His Ankle)
Until now, until he tweaked that ankle against the Pacers and lost his ability to draw fouls. He drew 49 free throws in the first three games of the playoffs. In Game 4, he hurt his ankle. In the three games since, he's drawn 11 free throws, including zero in Game 1 against the Hawks.
Opponents knew they'd be defended viciously and Rose would drive down their throat. Now? Rose is limited, and even the defense crumbled under deep pressure from Joe Johnson.
Chicago will win most games in which it performs as it did on offense in Game 1; the offense, despite Rose's substandard performance, was fine. But Johnson shredded Keith Bogans and all comers, similarly to the way Jamal Crawford killed the Magic. You figure Chicago's top defense will recover. You figure. Orlando figured, too.
Those storylines make Game 2 (8 p.m. ET, TNT) rich material. Be sure to see our Bulls vs. Hawks hub for full series coverage. For more on the Bulls visit Blog a Bull and SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Hawks, visit Peachtree Hoops and SB Nation Atlanta.
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