Downbeat Bulls facing another stretch without Rose
The Chicago Bulls have been here before. That doesn't make it any easier.
On Wednesday, Derrick Rose's coaches and teammates talked to media about the latest surgery to their star-crossed point guard.
"I'm still shocked," said reserve point guard Kirk Hinrich, reported by K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. "For this to happen is devastating."
Hinrich and Aaron Brooks will be absorbing some of Rose's minutes for the time being, although the rumor mill has begun to churn regarding potential depth additions like Nate Robinson.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau touched on that briefly Wednesday.
"I'm sure we'll be hearing from a lot of people," he said, according to Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago.
"First and foremost, it's concern for Derrick not only as a basketball player but as a person," Thibodeau added, per Johnson. "This (absence) hopefully will be shorter. It's so unfair, he's been through so much."
Johnson reported after news of the injury broke that the belief is that Rose's meniscus tear is not as serious as the one he suffered in November 2013. It is however, the same right knee. Rose has the choice now of re-attaching the meniscus or removing it altogether, the latter appearing to be the likely option.
Told again this AM Rose was told after 1st surgery of possibility another tear could happen and that "snip" procedure likely then.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 25, 2015
For now, the Bulls are simply wishing their teammate all the best.
"Right now we just support him and we wish that everything goes well," said power forward Pau Gasol on Wednesday.
Given the circumstances, the Bulls also announced that Hinrich will return from a two-game absence due to the flu to face the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday. Taj Gibson, who was also under the weather and missed Monday's game, will play.