NBA players react to Derrick Rose’s knee injury

Derrick Rose took the entire 2012-2013 season off to get himself right from the surgery on his left knee after suffering a torn ACL in the playoffs in 2012.

After showing much promise this preseason with what appeared to be an improved jump shot and a better ability to attack the basket, the point guard struggled mightily when the regular season came around.

Through nine games, Rose has averaged 15.4 points on just 35.9 percent shooting, with 4.4 assists and 3.3 turnovers. He hasn’t looked comfortable finishing around the basket, and perhaps in searching to rediscover his offense, he has not seen the floor as clearly as he has in the past.

Perhaps the clearest indicator is where he is shooting from. For his career, Rose has averaged 2.6 3-point attempts and 4.9 free throw attempts per game. This season, those numbers are almost reversed – 4.7 threes and 3.2 free throws.

However, things were looking pretty good on Friday as he and the Chicago Bulls got out to a sizable 59-44 lead against the Portland Trail Blazers on the road. Unfortunately, a potentially disastrous situation struck in the third quarter, when Rose’s right knee gave out on him without any contact after a cut to the basket.

(via Beyond the Buzzer)

Rose will have an MRI on the knee on Saturday to get the full extent of the injury, but he was unable to walk under his own power as he left the game for good. After the contest, he walked out of the locker room in crutches.

It’s an ominous situation for the Bulls, who had high hopes as the guard appeared to be fully healed from his torn ACL. For Rose, this is pure devastation, given how hard he has worked to get back to this point. All anyone can do at this point is hope for the best. See below for some of the reactions from around the league:

Forget about the loss. Let’s just hope DRose is OK. Thoughts go out to him. Let’s get some good news tomorrow on his status.

— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) November 23, 2013

I hope d rose alright. #prayingforubro — Mo Williams (@mowilliams) November 23, 2013

Hope D Rose knee is okay. — Brandon Rush (@BRush_25) November 23, 2013

Hope my man D Rose is ok — John Lucas III (@Luke1luk) November 23, 2013

All the talk about the Bulls and health this season, and the very first significant road trip of the yr has them w/out Rose and Butler… — Michael Wilbon (@RealMikeWilbon) November 23, 2013

Hope D Rose is alright

— Wesley Matthews (@wessywes2) November 23, 2013

I Hope drose is ok!!!

— Marco Belinelli (@marcobelinelli) November 23, 2013

Sending prayers up for my homie @drose

— JARRETT JACK (@Jarrettjack03) November 23, 2013

This Derrick Rose story is incomprehensible. Come on, hoop gods. Make it a sprained ACL or something.

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) November 23, 2013