By Paul M. Banks
Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose still might play in the All-Star game this Valentine’s Day. Yes, his injury during last night’s blowout loss to the Orlando Magic looked ugly, but take heart Bulls fans- it isn’t serious. Rose left with a bruised right hip at the 9:36 mark of the first quarter. He hit the floor following a foul by Orlando center Dwight Howard. Today, the Magic big man apologized for what happened and reiterated how friendly he is with Derrick.
Rose underwent an MRI on his low back and right hip last night at Rush University Medical Center. Results were consistent with the fall and showed no significant injury to the hip or low back. He will be re-examined in Dallas, Texas on Saturday by Bulls team physician Dr. Brian Cole of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush.
In other All-Star injury related news, Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson won’t play in the All-Star game this weekend. Both former NBA MVPs were voted into the starting lineups by fans. Bryant, who’s having another monster season, will be replaced by Dallas point guard Jason Kidd on the Western Conference roster. A.I.’s spot (a total joke because he’s easily having the worst season in his storied career) in the Eastern Conference will be filled by the much more deserving Knicks forward David Lee.
Bryant missed his third straight game Wednesday night with a sore left ankle. Iverson missed his fifth straight Wednesday night to be with his sick daughter. Coaches will determine which players will start in place of Kobe and A.I.