34 replies to this topic

[jacklamabe65]

Crusher: Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose tore his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and he is out for the remainder of the season. ESPN

[Boston Brawler]

I still think they'll get by Philly, but it puts their 2nd round opponent in a great position to move on. Hopefully it's us.

[ifmanis5]

Shefter just reported it during the draft. Terrible break for the Bulls, huge plus for the Celtics. Wow.

[Soxfan in Fla]

Game was no longer in doubt when it happened. Not sure why he was even in.

[Witters]

I still think they'll get by Philly, but it puts their 2nd round opponent in a great position to move on. Hopefully it's us.

Exactly.

[RGREELEY33]

That sucks for basketball. That could be potentiially great for the C's.

[88 MVP]

Given how they've played against Miami this year, did the C's just become the favorites in the East?

[Hendu's Gait]

Crusher: Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose tore his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and he is out for the remainder of the season. ESPN

2013?

[nocode51]

Given how they've played against Miami this year, did the C's just become the favorites in the East?

I wouldn't say the favorite but our odds just got better. Beating the Bulls will still be tough I think, IF we get by the ATL, and then based on today's game we will be battling the big three refs who are assigned to the Miami games plus the actual Miami players.

I really hope we take care of Atlanta in five, we need to not tax ourselves too much early if we are going to do this it's going to be a war.

[radsoxfan]

Howard and Rose out for the year..... if there was ever a chance for the Celtics to steal one, this is the year. Unfortunately, this definitely makes Miami heavy favorites to win the East.

If the Celtics can get past Atlanta (not assured by any means), the Bulls will be no cakewalk though. Boozer, Noah, Gibson, and Asik are still infinitely deeper and more physical than Garnett, Bass, Stiemsma and a prayer. Would be a very good series of contrasting styles.

[dolomite133]

Given how they've played against Miami this year, did the C's just become the favorites in the East?

No. Heat are favorites hands down.

[88 MVP]

Given that the Bulls have (for some unknown reason) not made an effort to extend Thibodeau's contract yet, I wonder if an early exit after this will result in him parting ways. The Bulls would be crazy to not bring him back, but I'd gladly take him back to the Celtics' staff as Doc's eventual successor.

[RedOctober3829]

As crazy as this sounds, this injury could allow the Celtics to have an avenue to the NBA Finals. In my mind, Chicago was the big stumbling block because they had the only player in the East that could neutralize what makes the Celtics click: Rajon Rondo. Now, we all know Chicago still presents a formidable challenge because they have succeeded all year when Rose was out but in a 7-game series I think the Celtics could wear the Bulls down with their up-tempo play. We all know how they've played Miami the past couple of meetings(the last one doesn't count but the previous two do).

Before this injury, I'd have said they couldn't even make the conference finals. Now, I have hope for a big run. Given their old age and health issues, they are going to need a little bit of luck on their side as well and they might have gotten some today. I don't wish injuries upon anyone, but I'm not exactly shedding a tear over this one.

[Reardons Beard]

Not sure they needed it - but has to put an extra shot in the arm of the Celtics.

[Stu Nahan]

Given how they've played against Miami this year, did the C's just become the favorites in the East?

I honestly don't think that's an outlandish statement. Miami would be the favorite in the ECF, but the C's beating them is not a crazy notion.

[Bob Montgomery's Helmet Hat]

The Celts need Ray if they are going to have any chance of getting through the East.

[sibpin]

Given that the Bulls have (for some unknown reason) not made an effort to extend Thibodeau's contract yet, I wonder if an early exit after this will result in him parting ways. The Bulls would be crazy to not bring him back, but I'd gladly take him back to the Celtics' staff as Doc's eventual successor.

This is crazy talk. Thib has led his team to the best regular season record in each of his two seasons. He's at the very least a top 10 coach in the league and would be a leading candidate for any head coaching vacancy. Why would he take an assistant position?

[mikeford]

The door is now wide open for the Celtics to take advantage.

[CaptainLaddie]

Holy shit.

So now, there's something like a 25:1 chance we see Celtics/Lakers, right?

I mean, in the East, it's either the Celtics, Heat or Pacers, right?

Wow. My roommate is a diehard Bulls fan and he's devastated. If the 3-year window was extended to 5 years, THIS was the thing that threw the sill up and gave the Celtics their chance to snatch another title. Beating the Hawks then Bulls then Heat will be hard, but not impossible. Supposing the Celtics can get a neutral ref crew (not even favored, all I want is neutral) they can make it to the Finals. Wow.

Edited by CaptainLaddie, 29 April 2012 - 03:55 AM.

[DrewDawg]

As crazy as this sounds, this injury could allow the Celtics to have an avenue to the NBA Finals.

Why is that crazy? Everyone is pretty much saying the same thing.

[RedOctober3829]

Why is that crazy? Everyone is pretty much saying the same thing.

Because if you had asked me even 2 months ago if there was even a slight chance of making the Finals, I'd have said you were crazy. Now, it's awesome that there is a realistic shot.

[Boston Brawler]

So this begs the question: Assuming that we can get past the Bulls (not guaranteed obviously, but a much better shot now), do we root for Indiana to beat Orlando setting up a 2nd round matchup with Chicago, or do we root for Orlando and try to play Miami in the 2nd round?

I think I'm in the camp of playing Miami earlier rather than later. The fresher we are, the better... And if the Celtics are the roadblock to Lebron making the finals, he may be extra motivated if it's the East finals.

[RedOctober3829]

So this begs the question: Assuming that we can get past the Bulls (not guaranteed obviously, but a much better shot now), do we root for Indiana to beat Orlando setting up a 2nd round matchup with Chicago, or do we root for Orlando and try to play Miami in the 2nd round?

I think I'm in the camp of playing Miami earlier rather than later. The fresher we are, the better... And if the Celtics are the roadblock to Lebron making the finals, he may be extra motivated if it's the East finals.

The NBA does not re-seed, so this situation is meaningless.

[BellhornIsGod]

So this begs the question: Assuming that we can get past the Bulls (not guaranteed obviously, but a much better shot now), do we root for Indiana to beat Orlando setting up a 2nd round matchup with Chicago, or do we root for Orlando and try to play Miami in the 2nd round? I think I'm in the camp of playing Miami earlier rather than later. The fresher we are, the better... And if the Celtics are the roadblock to Lebron making the finals, he may be extra motivated if it's the East finals.

The NBA doesn't re-seed. We will play the winner of Chicago/Philly no matter what if we beat the Hawks.

[Boston Brawler]

Whoops, didn't realize that

[Brickowski]

Even without Rose, the Bulls are very tough. I wouldn't count them out.

[CaptainLaddie]

They are, but to win an NBA title these days, you need a superstar. They don't have one without him.

[collings94]

A little bit early, but which Western Contender is the best matchup for the C's. Definitely not OKC, and LA and Memphis's size will crush us. That leaves San Antonio, which I think would be a tremendous Finals matchup which I think would have to go 7 games.

[Brickowski]

They are, but to win an NBA title these days, you need a superstar. They don't have one without him.

True but with exceptions (2004). Chicago still has that outstanding frontcourt, including Deng who is a superstar defensively.

[BigSoxFan]

I think the Bulls would still beat the Celtics without Rose, especially with home court.

[BellhornIsGod]

I think the Bulls would still beat the Celtics without Rose, especially with home court.

I think it would be a hell of a series. Deng/Boozer/Noah/Gibson/Asik in the front court is a nightmare for a bad rebounding team like the Celts. And Watson/Lucas while not in the same stratosphere as Rose, is not an awful option at PG, especially is Hamilton is healthy at the 2 guard. That is still a really good team. I think Bulls/Celts goes 7 if we do get that next round, with neither team breaking 95 all series. It would be a lot of fun.

[DrewDawg]

Well, I'm glad that Rose's injury has given the Hawks a clearer road to the finals. I'm sorry, I meant the Celtics.

[stevman17]

So, does anyone have a guess of whether this will derail Rose's career? That would be sad, because one of the most exciting things about the modern NBA is the collection of talent at PG.

[BigSoxFan]

So, does anyone have a guess of whether this will derail Rose's career? That would be sad, because one of the most exciting things about the modern NBA is the collection of talent at PG.

He'll be ok. He's young and athletic so one ACL injury won't take much away as long as he rehabs it properly.

[Boston Brawler]

Surgery performed Saturday. Current expectation is he'll be out 8-12 months. So, at best he's missing about 2 months of the regular season. At worst, all of next season.