The 2 free throws came from a fastbreak and the last shot he was clearly hesitant to take even after coming off the screen. He didn't attempt one shot in the final 6 mins with LeBron guarding him. He didn't even try to create a shot for someone else by getting to the basket. He just passed the ball to Rip.

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This defense of Rose in these situations are just silly. He's the reigning MVP not Rip Hamilton. There has been a pattern of him doing this against LeBron. This isn't the first time.

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So... Rose isn't supposed to adjust his game when one of the best defenders in the league switches to guard him? Like, he's not allowed to do that?

I watched the entire game and saw the same Rose playing as intense in the first minutes as he did when he was driving to the hole, getting fouled, and earned the opportunity to put his team in the lead. And then again when he attempted a last-second runner to tie the game.

LeBron is physically bigger and taller than Rose. I think I'll give Derrick the benefit of the doubt if he wishes to adjust his shot to compensate.

Not to go all "Bernstein", but no one is ever going to convince me that Rose is somewhat intimidated by LBJ. Never gonna happen.

He knows he can't beat him consistently.

It's the same thing that happened in the conference finals. Again, the Bulls don't have the reliable backup scoring options when Miami does this. Which is exactly why the Heat will beat the Bulls again if everyone stays healthy

Deja vu all over again

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Team Cutler.

So then what? We just expect to lose every series to Miami?

Sorry, I don't plan on watching the games in that light.

I will put a potato in your tailpipe.




What?

Rose really was intense when he continued to pass the ball to Rip as soon as he touched it. So adjusting his game is code for not trying? Got it. If Rose doesn't "believe" he can beat LeBron consistently we all can stop watching the games because the Bulls won't win an NBA title anytime soon.

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The Bulls will be fine.

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The Bulls have a better team. If Rose stays out of his shell and doesn't shoot 35% in a series the Bulls will win. I'm confident about that.

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He's obviously still hurting. His backup was out, and the third string PG was completely over-matched in the couple minutes he was on the floor. Rose basically had to play the entire game because if he sat the game would have completely shifted in Miami's favor and been over. Brewer was also on the floor most of the game because of Deng being out. I'm not too concerned about this loss. If the game was in Chicago, the Bulls probably win, and if Deng was on the floor, Bulls win. A tough road loss doesn't ruin a season.

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Exactly. All this thread does is show how impatient fans are. It's Rose's 4th season. LeBron is far and away the best on-ball defender in the NBA and Rose is going to have to figure him out. Considering how Rose seems to improve almost exponentially as his career progresses Im confident that the Bulls will be winning titles soon. It may not happen this season, but they are very close.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Who said it ruined a season? My only issue with the game is Rose's pattern of being afraid of LeBron.

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Thats certainly debateable.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Patience isn't a problem. How many years does a player need to be in the league before he stops playing scared? He can't figure LeBron out if he doesn't try. It's really that simple.

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You're reading too much into one game. Im not surprised.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Sure it is. I'll take the Bulls TEAM over the Heat's star power.

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You can't create a pattern from one game. I'm not surprised you're unwilling to look at reality because you like someone.

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It's not just about star power. Thats ESPN'ing the conversation. For all the talk about Rose needing to step up, lets not forget that we still havent seen LeBron reach his potential. I'm not sure we ever will, but I think him and Wade at 100% gives the Heat a slight edge over the Bulls TEAM.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Whether its part of the growing process or a sign of things to come, LeBron shut down Rose.

Not a good thing, no matter how you slice it.

Yet you're trying to sell us on the pattern that Rose gets bottled up by LBJ every time they play. Pick a lane.

After 8 years in the league it's unlikely LeBron will become a killer like MJ or Kobe overnight. Rose is mentally tougher than LeBron. While LeBron is more talented Rose's mental edge gives him an edge over LeBron in the 4th quarter. Wade and LeBron clearly haven't learned how to play together and at this point and their careers I'm not sure if they will. The Bulls also have 3 guys that match up well with them and you can even put Rose on Wade for a few mins. The Bulls have a huge edge when it comes to everyone else.

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Not a good thing, but not a surprising or overwhelmingly negative thing either. If the trend spans multiple seasons, then we got a problem. Rose only has three seasons under his belt and LeBron's
offensive game in crunch time is the part that is always a question mark. Ever since Kobe helped LeBron in the '08 Olympics he's been one of the best defenders we've seen since Pip's prime.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Let's try comprehending what we're reading. It appears you have a problem with that.

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And we're back to the 1 star cant win a title thing.

LeBron's offense is questioned in the 4th quarter. His defense never is.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

The Mavs had 1 star last season.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

It started in the first round of the playoffs 3 years ago. That trend HAS spanned multiple seasons. This is the 3rd season we're seeing it continue.

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Jason Terry played like one. Also that proves the point even more. Nobody is shutting down Dirk.

If Rose is able to be shut down, they need another great player to come thru in those times.

I agree. I think Rose could beat him if he TRIED. Maybe not as consistently as he does everyone else but I don't see any one player being able to stop him one on one. Can't happen.

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Rose was a rookie three years ago. Im assuming you're joking when including that in the trend. Especially coming from someone who thought Rose wouldnt be an All Star until this season.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul