One of the best players to ever suit up for the Chicago Bulls in the last decade, point guard Derrick Rose, got MVP chants in a return to the UC last night.
The Chicago Bulls raked in a big win on Nov. 1 at home at the United Center over the Central Division foe Detroit Pistons and the former face of their franchise, veteran point guard Derrick Rose. But there was a very warm welcome for D-Rose in his return to the United Center, this time in a Pistons uniform.
Since leaving the Bulls back in 2016, D-Rose suited up for the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and now the Pistons. He signed with the Pistons in free agency last offseason on a two-year contract worth a total of around $15 million. He’s off to a very strong start in the Motor City too.
The Bulls racked up that win on Friday night over the Pistons by a final score of 112-106. That win saw the Bulls move their record through six games this season to 2-4. Hopefully this is the start of the upward climb this team needs to move more firmly into playoff contention in the Eastern Conference.
But this win over the Pistons saw D-Rose and rebounding machine big man Andre Drummond lead the way for their team. Drummond led the Pistons in points, with 25, and he also added 24 rebounds and three blocks. He was an absolute monster on the boards for the Pistons and has been all season thus far.
D-Rose led the Pistons in assists and steals, with seven and three respectively, and finished second on the team in points with 23. There was just a completely different feeling when D-Rose and/or Drummond were on the floor for the Pistons compared to the rest of their team.
With that in mind, the Pistons did receive a pretty warm welcome at the United Center thanks to the former NBA MVP that will forever live in a positive light for his glory days in the Windy City. D-Rose was the youngest player ever to win the NBA MVP honors, and he dominated the East back in the late 2000’s and early 2010’s.
And D-Rose wasn’t the only former Bulls star that was in the building in the United Center last night for this matchup against the Pistons. Former star Bulls center Joakim Noah was present, which had to make the moment even more unique and memorable for D-Rose.
D-Rose told K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago after yesterday’s game that the atmosphere put him “back in the state of mind of reminiscing”. That was spurned by the MVP chants he received from the Bulls and Pistons faithful at the United Center.
However, while the MVP days for D-Rose are likely far in the rear view mirror, he could become and even more decorated player in the near future. If he is able to stay healthy and productive even close to the level he’s playing at right now, then he could be a serious contender for the Sixth Man of the Year honors.