The Chicago Bulls took care of business in their first round series against the Brooklyn Nets, and now will face a tough opponent in the Miami Heat in the second round. With Game 1 slated to go down Monday, the Bulls are now looking at the possibility of being without Luol Deng, Derrick Rose and possibly Kirk Hinrich.
Though Deng and Hirich are new names added to the injury list, Rose has missed the entire season while recovering from an ACL injury, but according to ESPN he said Monday that his status is "still up in the air. I might have a chance," although coach Tom Thibodeau ruled him out for Game 1.
Rose has received some criticism for not fighting through his injury like some of his teammates have done, with former Bull and TNT analyst Steve Kerr saying last week that Rose owed it to his team to play if he is healthy.
On Monday Rose addressed Kerr's comments with the following: "Everybody has their own opinion. The key words that he said is, 'if I'm ready.' Right now, I'm not ready so I'm just trying to take my time and just really, really be smart."
Regardless on whether Rose does or does not make an appearance this series, the Heat continue to plan on preparing for him should he decide to return.
"We have to prepare for the awareness that he could possibly come back," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Sunday. "That's all the thought we're giving it. If he does [return in the series], we'll try to be as aggressive as we normally are."
Even if he does return, the Heat plan to make it a brutal series.
"I'd be surprised," Heat center Chris Bosh said about the possibility of Rose returning. "But that's totally his decision. If he does, we're going to make it tough on him."
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