This image of Derrick Rose at the tail end of game 1 vs the Sixers could define Tom Thibodeau's tenure as Bulls coach.

There was 1:22 seconds left in a game that was decided despite a garbage time run by the Sixers. That’s when the Bulls 50-16 season potentially crumbled to the ground like a LeBron James flop. Derrick Rose was left in the game by his maniacal head coach because he had to “close a game out.” That totally makes sense, Thibs. It’s similar to the night when Rose was playing like John Lucas III should vs the Heat when you benched him down the stretch. Oh, wait.

Let’s see here, Jay Cutler is playing his best ball as a Bears quarterback, and has them in prime playoff position at 7-3 when he busts his thumb because one of his numerous shit wide receivers slips and falls to green mud at Soldier Field aka “The Park District.” Then, Johnathan Toews misses 22 games because of a concussion. That was followed up by a series changing hit by Raffi Torres that effectively ended the Blackhawks season.

And just when you thought being a Chicago sports fan wouldn’t kick you square in the balls, D Rose’s knee buckled and the Bulls immediate and long term future drastically changed. Instead of reveling in a game 1 beatdown and march towards a ring, Bulls fans feel worse than they did after losing game 5 to the Heat last spring. Cool.

The diagnosis hasn’t been determined as I write this, but it doesn’t look good. Reports say it’s a torn ACL and MCL, but let’s hope it’s inaccurate. As furious as I am at Thibs for not showing any long term vision with the franchise, I’m as flabbergasted at another star athlete in this town getting injured. This isn’t Mike James tearing a knee, it’s the God damn franchise player still working his way back to 100%. Even before the injury with 1:22 remaining, Rose hadn’t yet regained the explosiveness that made him the youngest MVP in NBA history. a 7th banner will only fly at the U.C. one day if Rose is, well, Rose.

Thibs shouldn’t have been so shortsighted knowing that his star and key to a lucrative contract extension has been broken down.

I don’t care what anyone tries to tell you, Rose SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN IN A GAME WHEN HIS TEAM IS UP 12 WITH 1:10 LEFT. I’ve been questioning Thibs for not saving Rose from himself late in blowout games, and this was his wake up call. Do you remember when Phil Jackson routinely sat Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen late in games so they could rest and ice their knees? I understand it’s the playoffs, but Thibs should have proceeded with caution when you consider the 47 injuries Rose suffered since the season started.

It was the reward after embarrassing a team like the Bulls were doing to the Sixers in game 1 Saturday. But Chicago’s miserable luck struck again and it makes you question why you even bother caring and loving sports in the first place.

There’s a reason Chicago is said to have the most passionate sports fans in the country. We live and die with our teams, and often act irrational, crazy & display shallow minded stupidity. Sans the mindless meatballs, the majority love their teams, and especially, D Rose. Since the injury, Twitter has turned into a get well, D Rose site.

Thibs should feel as sick to his stomach as fans like myself do. It’s a devastating gut punch to the biggest star in this city. And the most die hard fans in all of sports can’t help but ask “why us again?”

@Louie_Ruffolo8