ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst sent shockwaves through the NBA world on Wednesday when he said on ESPN’s “Russillo & Kanell Show:” ““The Derrick Rose breakup with the Bulls has begun.”
Windhorst, who is usually the go-to reporter for any LeBron James news, went on to say, “the team and the franchise have moved on to a little bit of a certain extent.”
Social media was ablaze as word of Windhorst’s comments spread.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst says ‘the Derrick Rose breakup with the @chicagobulls has begun' https://t.co/gaIjZe8cv5 pic.twitter.com/9UGUu9dOA6
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) November 5, 2015
Less than 24 hours later, Windhorst was doing the ESPN rounds to clarify that his comments were based more in opinion than fact.
Appearing on “Mike & Mike,” Windhorst agreed with host Mike Greenberg who said, “To make it clear, you’re not reporting this, but this is your sense.”
Windhorst on “Mike & Mike:”
“After I said that on ‘Russillo & Kanell,’ I think there was this belief that there was an issue with [Fred] Hoiberg or the front office. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying from where I sit—and its not just me, it’s other executives in the league who are watching this—they question whether this is going to last.”
Later, Windhorst appeared on “SportsCenter” and reiterated his position:
“The expectation here was that this was going to be a wonderful marriage between the way Fred Hoiberg wants to play and a point guard like Derrick Rose. There isn’t a point guard out there who wouldn’t love to play in this offense because it’s speed. Derrick Rose is a speed player when he’s at his best. He moves with the ball so well, and he’s not doing it yet.
“The concern for people in the league, and I don’t think it’s the Bulls—yet—and I don’t think it’s Fred Hoiberg. But as people look at this as I look at it, I say Derrick Rose is at a crucial point in his career because he has to buy in and make this work, which is what the Bulls want. The Bulls want Derrick Rose to marry with Fred Hoiberg to create a juggernaut and the early returns aren’t great.
“I look at this and say, is this the beginning of the end here?”
