May 12, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) reacts in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
2008: The most improbable homecoming in NBA history
1.7 percent.
That was the probability of the Chicago Bulls getting the top overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft.
If the Bulls somehow were to win the lottery, they’d be able to bring star Memphis guard (and Chicago native) Derrick Rose back home.
And that’s exactly what they did.
The Bulls won the 2008 NBA Draft Lottery, drafted Rose No. 1 overall, and rose back to the NBA’s elite tier of teams for the first time since Michael Jordan‘s second retirement.
Since tearing his ACL during the 2012 postseason, it’s been a struggle for Rose to stay on the floor, due to numerous injuries throughout the last few seasons.
But, prior to his injury-riddled past, Rose was pretty damn good.
How good? Try the NBA’s youngest Most Valuable Player Award winner in history after the 2010-11 season (22 years old, six months).
Since Rose’s arrival in 2008, the Bulls haven’t missed the playoffs in Rose’s six seasons and have become a popular franchise in the NBA once again.
We may never see this Derrick Rose again, but he’s still just 26 years old.
Next: 2009: James Johnson, no ... Taj Gibson, yes