Brian Scalabrine News

Despite their playoff disappointment, the Chicago Bulls by and large had another successful season in the NBA this year, proving that last year was no fluke.

Most of us didn't anticipate Derrick Rose's season to go down like it did, with first the numerous minor injuries and then the torn ACL knocking him out of both the playoffs and most of next season.

What was lost in a Bulls season sponsored by Ibuprofen and the Acme Medical Supply Co.

As he pulled his black sports car out of the Berto Center parking lot Friday afternoon, a weary Joakim Noah said he felt lost after the Bulls ' unexpected first-round exit.

More disappointing end to a season: Bears losing five of last six games without Jay Cutler or Bulls falling in first round of playoffs without Derrick Rose? PHILADELPHIA - As general manager Gar Forman and coach Tom Thibodeau looked on, Joakim Noah tested his severely sprained left ankle before the game and then sat on the bench in uniform but ... (more)

It shouldn't have been easy to watch for anyone, but when the Fan-O-Meter starts encouraging the crowd, Omer Asik dunks and the 76ers can't hit an open shot on a rim lowered to 5 feet, people have a hard time helping themselves.

All hope isn't lost. Tom Thibodeau still had his comfort phrase at the ready, saying he has a game-time decision to make for Sunday's must-win Game 4. Unfortunately for the Bulls, it's not regarding Derrick Rose, who obviously is out with the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

To the delight of the Philadelphia fans in attendance for Game 3 of the Bulls- 76ers series, Chicago center Joakim Noah 's ankle turned in a way that not even I - breaking my ankle twice while playing basketball - have ever seen.

However, when Thibodeau learned Tuesday that he was runner-up to San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich for NBA Coach of the Year, he was happy for his friend.

When he signed with the Bulls, it was with the understanding he'd be the answer as Chicago's No.

Rip was on a roll. Richard Hamilton , who entered Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Saturday with a gaudy 20.6 points per game average in 120 playoff games, scored 11 of his 19 points in the first quarter without missing a shot.

Before the Chicago Bulls secured their 50th win on the final night of the regular season on Thursday against the Cleveland Cavaliers , Chicago turned to forward Brian Scalabrine to address the United Center crowd before the opening tip.

He's as huge in Chicago as Derrick Rose is and that's saying a lot for a guy who averages about 4.4 minutes per game this year and just 13.0 in his career.