Rose Shines in Loss to Atlanta

Despite an All-Star-caliber performance from rookie Derrick Rose, the Bulls slipped to 3-5 after suffering a 113-108 loss to the Hawks last night.  Rose had what was probably his best game as a pro thus far, scoring 26 points on better than 50 percent shooting while dishing six assists and grabbing 10 rebounds.  It’s becoming more and more apparent that the Bulls have struck gold with the first overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft.  Rose has made the transition from his lone collegiate season to his first pro season like few others have, especially at the point guard position.

The team; however, was unable to capitalize on Rose’s herculean effort, falling to Atlanta.  The Hawks are now 6-0 and Chicago head coach Vinny Del Negro praised the opposing team.  “They’ve been together and they’ve had some success last year, getting in the playoffs and pushing Boston,” he told reporters before the game.  “When you keep your team together and you add a piece like a (Mike) Bibby and everybody kind of falls in and (Al) Horford improves a little bit and Marvin Williams does and Joe [Johnson] does, and you keep your pieces together and you start working and you start believing.”  Horford dominated the game, going for 27 and 17, exposing the Bulls’ lack of frontcourt depth.

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