Video: Norris Cole floors Derrick Rose with a crossover

Derrick Rose's long-awaited return to the NBA court was a bit rough around the edges, hindered by desperate shot selection (Rose attempted seven three-pointers) and the general inconvenience of playing against the Heat. In the second quarter, too, came this moment of embarrassment: In defending Norris Cole in the left corner, Rose bit hard on a crossover and then tripped on the foot of a screening Chris Andersen -- thus allowing Miami's reserve guard an uncontested look at a mid-range jumper. Cole may not be a knock-down shooter, but he could hardly have been more unbothered or in-rhythm. Rose had no recourse save to regain his footing as the ball splashed through the net, with the Heat bench exploding not five feet away from him.

Rob Mahoney is an NBA writer dedicated to the minutiae of the game of basketball, its overarching themes and everything in between. He joined the Sports Illustrated staff in 2012.