Former NBA MVP Derrick Rose’s career is over. He announced his retirement today after a 16-year career. One of Chicago’s favorite sons, Rose established himself as one of the most athletic and explosive guards in NBA history. At this point, the debate is usually between him and Russell Westbrook over that title. Rose was considered Chicago’s new hope after being drafted in 2008. Since Michael Jordan retired for the second time after the 1998 season, there has been a long period of success in Chicago. Rose was supposed to be the second coming, but he gave it his all.
I vividly remember watching a raucous seven-game series between the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics in 2009. I was a senior in college and every game was a must-see. On the Bulls side, it was all about Ben Gordon and Derrick Rose. There was also a big shot from Kirk Heinrich. This series was so exciting that I couldn’t miss the match. I remember having to go to Olive Garden on Long Island for a classmate’s birthday during Game 7. No one expected this series to last this long. It was the first time I heard a game on the radio. We packed up our Ford Taurus and imagined ourselves watching everything unfold on the way to Panstick.
That was the feeling Derrick Rose brought back to Chicago and the NBA as a whole. We were all about the Bulls again. And with the pressure his athleticism put on defenses, it was only a matter of time before the Bulls found some serious playoff success. He earned MVP honors in Rose’s third year in the league, making him the youngest MVP in the league. He was feeling good for the summer, but unfortunately the following year he suffered the first of many knee injuries.
Rose tore his ACL during the 2012 playoffs, which was the first sign of concern for his career. Hindsight is 20/20, but those concerns were well-founded. With each subsequent injury, his athletic ability further diminished. It’s difficult to adjust. And in some ways, this period of his career was a period of growth and transition.
Once Rose was in shape, he stayed fairly healthy for a few seasons, but his time in Chicago came to an end. He spent eight years with the Chi before being traded to the New York Knicks in 2016. Unfortunately, he came with some baggage because he was in court on a sexual abuse case. Rose and his associates were found not responsible. But I believe this ordeal served as a wake-up call for him. From that point on, I saw a change in the way he coached young players.
That attitude carried through to his two stints in New York. Needless to say, his career ended in Memphis. How poetic that he became the voice of advice for young up-and-comer Ja Morant. It’s kismet if you ask me. When I look back at Rose’s career, I can’t help but think about what could have been for him. We’ve all seen that movie as sports fans. But I think his accomplishments go beyond his immense talent. We were able to witness a boy grow into a man and be a good role model for young players. In his own way, he finished the game better than he found it. After all, that’s exactly how you want to write your career.
