Reigning MVP Derrick Rose Out For Postseason With Torn ACL

(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Derrick Rose's heartbreaking injury will sideline him for the rest of the postseason. Rose, who had
already missed 27 regular season games, tore his ACL with a little more than a minute to play in Game 1.

The Chicago Bulls' worst nightmare became a reality Saturday, when Derrick Rose suffered a torn ACL and MCL with just a minute left to play in a 103-91 win against the Philadelphia 76'ers.

Rose came down awkwardly on his left leg after trying to hop past Lavoy Allen. Although there was no contact, Rose seemed to land funny on his leg, and instantly jumped to his right leg to take away pressure.  Rose then fell to the floor, and grabbed his left knee in pain. When he didn't jump back up moments later, everyone inside the United Center knew something was wrong.

MRI results would eventually confirm that the 2011 MVP would be out for the remainder of the playoffs.

ACL tears are athletes' worst nightmare. Knee injuries usually keep athletes out for the longest periods of time. Doctors say Rose will be sidelined for 6-8 months. That means that he will miss the postseason, the Olympic games in London, and possibly the start of next season.

This injury wasn't Rose's first of the season. The all-star guard actually missed 27 games this season with toe, ankle, back and groin injuries. His past injuries, combined with the shortened season likely had an impact on his season-ending injury.

Who is to blame for Rose's gruesome injury?

Is it coach Tom Thibodeau, who allowed the star to stay in the game despite leading by double-digits? Is it the NBA's fault for creating such a compressed season that has caused fatigue and injury issues for multiple players in the league? Is it just really bad luck? The answer is a terrible combination of the three.

Coach Thibodeau's reasoning was that he wanted Rose to get as many reps as he could in real game situations to make up for the 27 games he missed in the regular season. Although the team has backed Thib's decision to keep Rose in the game, it probably wasn't the greatest idea. 

Many athletes and NBA stars have reached out on Twitter to wish Rose and Knicks guard Iman Shumpert (who also tore his ACL Saturday) speedy recoveries.

Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) tweeted, "Prayers up for Derrick Rose and Iman Shumpert! Hope u guys have a speedy recovery!" while Kevin Love (@kevinlove) added, "Let's keep the rest of the NBA playoffs healthy. D Rose and Shump, speedy recoveries".

The Bulls were 7/2 favorites to win it all this year, but are now just 15/2 favorites to win the 2012 NBA Finals.

Chicago was 18-9 this season without Rose in the lineup. 

For the rest of the Bulls, their postseason continues on Tuesday for Game 2. The Bulls still may be the favorites to beat the Sixers, but their road to the NBA Finals doesn't look too bright from there.