Rose 'shocked' by rough night
Before Game 3 at the United Center, Commissioner David Stern presented the Rookie of the Year trophy to Derrick Rose, who was accompanied on the court by his mother, Brenda, and brothers Reggie and Dwayne.
That was the beginning and end of Rose's highlights Thursday. His third playoff game was even quieter than his second. The 20-year-old point guard finished with 9 points, 2 assists and 7 turnovers.
"I could care less about the award," Rose said after the 107-86 loss. "This game is way more important than that. I'm shocked, really. It really hurts to lose like this in front of the home crowd."
After scoring 36 points in his Game 1 playoff debut, Rose took more of a back seat in Game 2, but didn't do much of anything well on Thursday.
"They're not doing anything differently than they did in Game 1," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "I just think Derrick's got to be a little bit more aggressive. We've got to spread it out, get some ball movement and attack. Really, it's our defense that has to create some of our offense so we can get out in the open court."
Stern speaks out: Commissioner David Stern held a brief news conference before Thursday's game. He said that the league's economics aren't quite as bad as some people expected. The league reported the third-highest attendance in its history this season.
Also, with a couple of impressive point guards battling in this series, Stern was asked if Derrick Rose and Rajon Rondo are proving that the rule changes outlawing hand checks a few years back are having the intended consequences.
"Behind closed doors, we sort of say it's pretty interesting to allow players to get to the basket, subject only to being fouled once, rather than gently impeded but no foul called five times.
Rose's favorite game: After accepting the Rookie of the Year award, Derrick Rose was asked if any game this season stood out in his mind. Instead of choosing something obvious, like a victory over Cleveland or the night of his vicious crossover in Philadelphia, Rose went with the Dec. 17 home game against the Clippers.
That one stood out because Ben Gordon erased a late deficit by hitting a 3-point shot and completing a 4-point play with 20.5 seconds left. The Bulls went on to win in overtime.
"That was the game that let me know that an NBA game is never over," Rose said. "I thought that the game was over, probably all our fans thought it was over. But the people that were on the court with me, my guys, didn't let the game get away."
Bull horns: The family of late Bulls broadcaster Johnny "Red" Kerr delivered the game ball. ... The Bulls' all-time home playoff record is 105-35, best among existing NBA franchises, according to the team ... Among the sports celebrities in attendance Thursday were ex-Bull Thabo Sefolosha, Warriors forward Corey Maggette and Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville.