Pippen Ain't Easy
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Chicago Bulls: 30 greatest players in franchise history

By Jason Patt

PHOENIX - JUNE 20: NBA Commissioner David Stern presents Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls the championship trophy after the Bulls defeated the Phoenix Suns in Game Six of the 1993 NBA Finals on June 20, 1993 at America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1993 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX - JUNE 20: NBA Commissioner David Stern presents Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls the championship trophy after the Bulls defeated the Phoenix Suns in Game Six of the 1993 NBA Finals on June 20, 1993 at America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1993 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
(Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Point Guard. Chicago Bulls. Derrick Rose. 3. player. 24.

Derrick Rose’s Bulls career ultimately ended in major disappointment, and he was only at the peak of his powers for a fleeting moment. But that peak was something to behold, which is why he comes in at No. 3 on this list despite his relatively short tenure in Chicago and the lack of a championship.

When the Bulls got lucky and won the 2008 NBA Draft Lottery with just 1.7 percent odds, they had a choice between Rose, the hometown kid, and Michael Beasley. The Bulls rightfully took Rose, and he was a star from the beginning. The electric point guard put up 16.8 points, 6.3 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game en route to Rookie of the Year. In his playoff debut, Rose scored 36 points against the Boston Celtics to tie Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most points scored by a rookie in his playoff debut.

Rose took another step the following season and made it to his first All-Star Game, but it was the 2010-11 campaign that saw him truly become one of the best players in the league. After suggesting before the season that he could win MVP, he went out and did just that, leading the Bulls to a league-best 62 wins in the process. He averaged 25.0 points, 7.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds in 37.4 minutes per game and became the youngest MVP in NBA history:

Rose’s Bulls were bested by LeBron James’ Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, but it looked like the beginning of a new rivalry between the two teams. It all came crashing down, though, when Rose tore his ACL in 2012. He battled injuries throughout the rest of his Bulls tenure, and he was traded in 2016 to the New York Knicks.

While Rose’s career was derailed by injuries, what he meant to the franchise and city as a whole during his few years of greatness can’t be overlooked. Having the humble hometown kid leading the Bulls back to true relevancy was a terrific story, and it’s unfortunate that he turned into a giant what-if?

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