If you're bad-mouthing Derrick Rose right now and talking about how he's letting the Bulls down by not attempting to play, then Joakim Noah has a very simple message for you: Shut up.
After the Bulls beat the Heat in Game 1 of their best-of-7 playoff series last night, Noah was asked about Rose's absence. And he responded by delivering a long, passionate speech about his teammate. He ripped Rose's critics and reiterated the fact that none of his teammates are upset with Rose for taking his time in returning to the Bulls lineup this season.
"Derrick's a brother," he said. "And to see him go through this is tough. But, at the end of the day, it's really funny how quick people are to judge...People don't know what it's like to lead a team, especially after you tore your ACL. If you tore your ACL and you have to be the starting point guard and have the expectations that Derrick has, then maybe you can judge, but everybody who hasn't been in that situation before should really shut up because I feel like it's just so unfair to him and to this team. We're fighting, and everybody's going to just shit on somebody who's been giving so much to this organization. It's crazy to me."
D-Rose has said that there's still a chance he will return to the Bulls lineup at some point during the Heat series. But, if he doesn't, don't expect any of his teammates to be too upset about it.
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[via ESPN Chicago]
