Blogs.Bulls.com

Rose Gets Rookie Award. Celtics Thorny For Bulls.

by

Apr 23

The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Chicago Bulls. All opinions expressed by Sam Smith are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Chicago Bulls or their Basketball Operations staff, parent company, partners, or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Bulls and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.

Derrick Rose received his 2008-09 Rookie of the Year award Thursday from NBA commissioner David Stern before the start of Game 3 of the playoffs between the Bulls and Boston Celtics.

Rose, smiling, held the trophy aloft surrounded by his mother and two of his brothers. As they left, Stern offered a peck on the cheek of congratulations to Rose’s mother.

“He’s so quietly a great player that it’s a delight to watch and listen and see him grow and see him take on a leadership role in the playoffs,” Stern said in remarks to reporters before the ceremony. “And to focus on him as Derrick and not the next coming of you know who. And let him grow without the hothouse pressure that so many in the media rushing around (can apply).

“The beauty of this,” said Stern, “is we have lots of kids like this. Come to our All Star game, our rookie/sophomore game. It’s a golden age.”

The United Center was decorated with rose pedals scattered at the entrance and throughout the arena and the fans brightened the arena with rose red colors in their wear. It was unclear whether the red sky at sunset was for the Bulls as well.

Though it wasn’t a rosy start as Paul Pierce, relatively quiet the first two games, exploded to open the game with 13 points on six of seven shooting until he drew his second foul with 3:58 left in the first.

The Bulls fell behind 17-7 to open the game. They recovered within 23-16 after Pierce went out and then within 27-20 before Stephon Marbury and Rajon Rondo hit jumpers to put Boston ahead 32-21 after one quarter.

The killer for the Bulls was nine turnovers, from which the Celtics scored 14 points. Boston shot 56 percent in the first to 37.5 percent for the Bulls, though the Bulls did outrebound Boston 11-8, which was one of the priorities.

What do you think? Leave a comment below: