Derrick Rose Could Be Running Into Issues

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6399553

With the way he has been playing in the playoffs, the Chicago Bulls can't afford to lose Derrick Rose at this stage in the game. To start out the playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, Rose contributed 39 points, six rebounds, and six assists on Monday to help the Bulls to a 1-0 lead. With the NBA community's eyes on him after that performance, Rose had 36 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in the second game on Thursday in Indiana, again contributing to the Bulls win. In Game 3 of the series, Rose helped achieve yet another Bulls victory with 23 points, three rebounds, and two assists. Today, however, it is a slightly different story; with 9:44 left in the fourth quarter, the Bulls are struggling 62-74. In today's Game 4, the Bulls have not taken the lead once; the best they have done is tied at five a piece in the first quarter. Today, Rose has only made 10 points, four rebounds, and eight assists.

It is quite obvious that something is affecting Rose's playing today, but there are different theories to what may be causing the trouble. Rose left today's game with 1:02 remaining in the first quarter with a left ankle sprain, to return early in the second quarter. According to ESPNChicago.com, "Rose went up for a shot and turned his ankle when landing. He didn't appear to make contact with any other player."

Rose could easily have gone back in the game to be a team player even though his ankle was not in prime playing condition. This would be my guess as to why he is not producing like he had been in the previous games three games. But perhaps the pressure was too much for Rose to handle. While this reasoning seems less likely, Rose's performance has dropped in each game of the series. Fans and critics expected so much out of him after his first few outstanding games, maybe he just couldn't live up to that. Regardless of this being said, I would find it more believable that Rose is tired, he has committed his all to helping the Bulls win in the last three games and naturally, his body and mind are tired. This, along with his minor injury today, are probably paying their toll and thus causing Rose to have an average game.