USA - Defending champs lose Rose to ACL tear

CHICAGO (NBA/Olympics) - The United States have lost the reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose for the Olympics.

The Chicago Bulls point guard tore his left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) late in Saturday's opening Eastern Conference playoff game against Philadelphia.

Playing at home, the Bulls were putting the finishing touches on the 103-91 win when Rose made his way into the lane, came to a jump-stop and suffered the injury.
 
After being helped off the floor and taken to the locker room, Rose went to the hospital where an MRI confirmed the injury that has knocked him out for the remainder of the playoffs and the London Games.
 
For Team USA, the loss, while not devastating yet, is nevertheless significant as they another of the point guards who was among the finalists for the Olympic squad, Chauncey Billups, went down with a ruptured Achilles tendon while playing for the Los Angeles Clippers earlier this year.
 
Rose and Billups were the point guards in the USA squad that captured the world title two years ago in Istanbul.
 
The Americans still have 2008 Olympians Deron Williams of the New Jersey Net and Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers, as well as Oklahoma City star Russell Westbrook.
 
Westbrook played on the American team two years ago in Turkey.
 
Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) and Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat) can also bring the ball up for the floor for Mike Krzyzewski's American side.
 
However, Rose’s injury is a major blow for the Americans.
 
When USA Basketball announced the 20 finalists for the Olympics on 16 January, chairman Jerry Colangelo gave special praise to the Bulls playmaker.
 
“I'm not sure anyone has come as far and as fast as Derrick Rose,” Colangelo said.
 
“I mean, he literally dominates games.  As I watch him play, he seems to be able to get to any point on the floor at any time he wishes to.”
 
Rose’s injury has added to a wretched eight days for Team USA.
 
The starting center on their gold-medal winning side in Beijing, Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard, had season-ending back surgery on 20 April.
 
Portland Trail Blazers big man LaMarcus Aldridge has also been ruled out of London with a hip problem.

On Monday, the USA will find out which teams they will be facing in London at the Olympic draw, in Rio de Janeiro.
 
FIBA