After the first weekend of the NBA Playoffs, the biggest story isn't about the game, it's about how injury will dictate these playoffs.

After the season-ending ACL tear to reigning MVP Derrick Rose, all hopes of a Miami vs Chicago sequel in the Conference Finals was all but eliminated, and a new question has emerged; was all this inevitable?

After a lockout-filled summer and fall, the NBA looked like it would have a non-existent season. But last- minute, both sides decided to cave in and make a deal.

This meant NBA players, without a full training camp, would play 66 games in about 130 days. With every team playing at least one, back-to-back-to-back. This coincided with the fact NBA players were forbidden from working out with team doctors and trainers. The bodies of these super athletes were put at risk.

The NBA hasn't just lost Derrick Rose to injury, other notable and franchise players have been hit with the injury bug.

Dwight Howard back injury has him out of the playoffs and maybe the beginning of next year as well.

Rookie sensation, Ricky Rubio who along with Kevin Love had the Minnesota Timber Wolves in the playoff mix until a knee injury ended his season.

Former Finals MVP, Chauncey Billups who was supposed to be the veteran leadership for the Clippers, was lost early in the season with an achilles tendinitis injury and won't suit up the rest of the season.

You remember Jeremy Lin, everyone's favorite Knickerbocker? Well he's been sidelined for the last 20+ games with his own knee injury.

So what's next? Hopefully the rest of the playoffs go smoothly and with no injuries. Next year we get the return of these great players, and hopefully a full season injury-free.