Derrick Rose’s Dynamic Debut
Derrick Rose’s first NBA playoff game was a record setter. The Chicago Bulls’ rookie guard slashed up the Boston Celtics’ defense Saturday.
He drove the lane left and right, making a few layups and a lot of short bank shots in traffic. He also had some nice dishes to his teammates, including an allie-oop to Joakim Noah. Rose also was a perfect 12-12 from the free throw line.
The effort resulted in 36 points and helped lead the Bulls to a 105-103 overtime upset in Boston in game one of this best of seven playoff series.
Rose’s 36 points tied a record set by Kareem Abdul Jabbar in 1970 for points by a rookie in their first playoff game. Rose is now in some big name company for top rookie playoff games. In addition to Jabbar, the names atop this leaderboard include Wilt Chamberlain and Tim Duncan.
Rose’s success showed how much Boston misses big man Kevin Garnett underneath.
But the Boston defense did a poor job of slowing down Rose before he even got near the basket.
It looks like Garnett, out with a knee injury, will not be returning anytime soon. Some fans are ready to count Boston out after this loss. I wouldn’t go that far… yet. Saturday’s game was very close and the Celtics had at least two opportunities to win but didn’t convert.
Boston has to come up with an answer to slow down Rose’s penetration. And Ray Allen, who shot a dismal 1-12, has to snap out of it and start making some three-pointers.
I would like to see six more games like this first dogfight. Boston’s reaction in game two Monday will tell us a lot about whether there is any chance that it will be that kind of series.
