A Nike shoe designer is catching heat for mocking the ACL injury that knocked Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose out of the rest of the playoffs.

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Rose, last season's MVP, was hurt in the final minutes of Chicago's Game 1 victory over Philadelphia. The blame game started soon after, with many pointing the finger at the hectic post-lockout schedule.

But Jason Petrie, who designed Lebron James’ signature sneakers, took to his Twitter page and wrote that “Rose should have signed with Nike because Lebron is getting stronger, while Rose is breaking down before our very eyes.”

Michael McCarthy writes in a USA Today article that Nike spokesman Brian Strong said, "As a brand that is passionate about sport, we recognize the intense level of play that every athlete has engaged in during this basketball season and respect the dedication it takes to compete. One of our basketball footwear designers posted comments online that we feel are inappropriate, and he has since apologized. We wish anyone who is injured a speedy recovery."

Petrie later apologized.