Derrick Rose Says Stuff, But it’s Good Stuff
In an interview with the Chicago Tribune’s K.C. Johnson, Derrick Rose speaks on what’s passed, what’s happened and what’s ahead for the former league MVP as he enters what could be his final season in Chicago.
Whether it’s positive or negative critique, Derrick Rose has faced both sides of the coin since tearing the ACL in his left knee four years ago during a blowout playoff victory.
He sat out the next season to recover, then a pair of surgeries in his knees followed, along with countless other injuries that would take us a few hours to cover.
He’s been the poster child of Chicago after being named NBA MVP at just 22. He’s been bashed in the local media for his media day thoughts this past year on looking ahead to his post-basketball life with his family and child.
In terms of polarizing players, Rose’s reputation may sit only behind LeBron James for the most polarizing player in the NBA today among fans. For those that adore him, they defend him on any and every hill. For those that turned their back on him and questioned his toughness, they look for any open window to criticize the once-explosive Rose.
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“I sometimes feel people forget I’ve endured three surgeries, three rehabs. But even when I was younger, I always had the underdog mentality,” Rose said in an interview with the Chicago Tribune’s K.C. Johnson. “People always would put people in front of me. I always had to fight my way to the top.”
“In this league, having the success that I had so early and then having the injuries that I had, it kind of put me in the same place. I’m familiar with it. It’s not foreign ground. I’ve been here before and there’s nothing but hard work to get back to the top.”
The interview itself was well done and it’s clear that there’s a professional relationship between Johnson and Rose. The former MVP always comes off as a shy and quiet individual, but he spoke a lot on his rugged past in his career; including the eye injury that sat him back for the first couple months of this past season.
“For sure, it was a setback,” Rose said to Johnson. “I wouldn’t say it messed with me mentally. I was more hurt about the injury. I couldn’t see right for weeks. Mentally, I was always fine because I’ve been through so many injuries. Just sitting there being bored and not being able to do anything, that sucked. But I knew even then that hard work would take care of this.”
Before the Bulls’ win on Christmas Day against the Oklahoma City Thunder — which has served as a turning point for Rose this season — Rose was scoring 13.5 points per contest on 37.2 shooting. He looked off, he didn’t attack like the “Old Rose” and hell, he could hardly see.
Rose shot 7-of-18 from the floor on Christmas against the Thunder, but the Bulls picked up a needed win, followed by Rose’s game turning over a new leaf. He scored 18.8 points per game on 46.2 shooting in the next 18 games (leading into February) and started to look like a new and improved player.
“All these injuries, I had to learn my body and know my body,” Rose said to Johnson. “I have to be the only one to determine when and when not to go. But I always thought that I was go get back to the way I played but even better. I love the way I’m playing, picking and choosing my spots. I love the way I’m playing on balance, not being reckless. And I love the pace I’m playing with.”
Rose has one final year to prove to not just the Bulls and to the city of Chicago, but most importantly to himself, that he can be a legitimate player in the NBA again. Bulls vice president John Paxson mentioned in the after-the-season news conference that Rose’s performance defensively wasn’t up to par. Rose did play in 66 games this season — more than the three previous seasons combined — and focusing on taking care of his body over the long haul of a season is a grind in itself.
But, he’s got an opening.
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“I could go the rest of my career and not be an All-Star,” Rose said. “But as long as I’m out there showing you how much I work on my game and helping the team win, that’s cool. I’m blessed to play. I realize that.”
#DerrickRoseSaysStuff has become a humorous part of the Bulls online community for some of the things he’s said over the years, but when you look at the big picture, it appears Rose is doing just that.
It’s do or die time for one of Chicago’s own.