However, just like most players in this league, Rose has hit a major roadblock due to an injury. Rose tore his ACL during the 2012 NBA Playoffs and is expected to miss part of the 2012-13 season due to rehab. The Bulls were considered the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference in 2012, but with Rose gone, the Bulls were ousted out in the first round.
The Miami Heat went on to win the 2012 NBA championship, a team the Bulls were supposed to clash with in the conference finals. Rose was not very interested in the playoffs since he was unable to compete in the league’s biggest stage. Still, Rose saw the Heat become the league champions and CBS Sports writes about his mindset heading into next season.
“The whole time the playoffs was going on I only watched a couple of games from every series, but I wasn’t into it like I was if I was playing,” Rose says, as footage of the Heat’s title run flashes on a television screen in front of him. “I know that’s going to push me to work even harder … thinking of them winning the championship. It’s just going to drive me and I know I’m gonna have another year.”
Rose will not only have to get his Bulls past the Miami Heat, but there is a good chance he may have to face the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals. The Bulls and Lakers are not guaranteed spots in the Finals, but that series can certainly occur. Both teams are capable of making deep playoff runs, and whenever Rose is on the court and healthy, the Bulls are one of the best teams in the NBA.
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