K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune writes with extended thoughts from Portland Trail Blazers guard Jamal Crawford in response to a torn left ACL suffered by Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose on Saturday. Crawford tore his ACL in 2001. ------------------------------- "You feel helpless," Crawford said. "Basketball is always an escape. When it's gone, you have so much time to think. I remember reading about other players and almost crying. You go through all these bad thoughts: 'Why did this happen to me?' ... "During rehab, it's so tough being away from the team. You feel so alone. Derrick has a great family and support system. That definitely helps. You have to lean on them to get through those moments. But even if they come over for a few hours a day, you still have 20, 21 hours by yourself." ... "Tell Derrick I never had any residual effects and don't think about it anymore," Crawford said. "Tell him I'm pulling for him." ------------------------------- -- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter