Former NBA star Richard ‘Rip’ Hamilton recently went on the “All The Smoke” podcast and offered up some high praise for Chicago Bulls legend Derrick Rose.
Chicago Bulls fans are rightfully very protective of Derrick Rose. He had one of the fastest and most dramatic rises and falls in NBA history, becoming the youngest player ever to win the MVP award and then suffering multiple devastating injuries, ultimately altering the course of his career. He’ll always be our guy.
That’s why it’s so wonderful to hear other players (current and former) talk about Rose and his greatness. The ultimate stamp of approval is when your peers have a high degree of reverence for you. Kobe Bryant has that. LeBron James has that. Michael Jordan has that. Lots of guys have that. Despite his NBA career peaking prior to turning 24 years old, Derrick Rose is one of those guys.
On the All The Smoke podcast hosted by Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes, former NBA Champion and 3x All-Star Richard “Rip” Hamilton talked about his two years in Chicago and specifically the brilliance of Derrick Rose.
"“I played with a lot of great players. Derrick Rose during that time, was probably the most talented player I ever played with.” -Rip Hamilton on the All The Smoke podcast"
What a compliment! Rip Hamilton is a guy that played with Juwan Howard, Rod Strickland, Chauncey Billups, Tayshaun Prince, Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace and a 38-year-old Michael Jordan. Hamilton was only with the Bulls for two seasons and D-Rose made that big of an impression on him.
Hamilton also pointed out how dominant D-Rose was in comparison to his peers.
"“There’s a lot of great players in our game right now when you’re talking about the point guard position,” Hamilton said. “Russell Westbrook. You know, you talk about Steph, CP, Kyrie. Listen, none of them dudes wanted no smoke with Derrick Rose in the Derrick Rose era. I’m tellin’ you right now. None of them dudes wanted no smoke with D-Rose during that time.”"
Sheesh! Rip really brought the heat with that one. He called out some of the league’s best point guards of all time, and certainly the best of this era, saying that they didn’t want smoke with Rose. I love everything about that. He’s not wrong, either. Had Rose stayed healthy, he’d be at the top of that point guard class.
Rip Hamilton also shouts out Derrick Rose’s humility
Hamilton’s praise for Rose didn’t stop with his on-the-court prowess. He was also incredibly impressed by Rose’s humility.
"“And he’s very similar to KD,” said Hamilton. “I always say Derrick Rose and KD, they’re probably the most two humble superstars I’ve ever seen in my life. Like, they’ll give you their shirt off they back. And Derrick was that type of guy.”"
Is there a higher level of praise than what Hamilton threw at Derrick Rose? He raved and raved about Rose’s abilities on the court and how special he was, and then raved some more about Rose’s awe-inspiring humility.
Rip Hamilton is respected among NBA circles, so to hear him speak so highly of a forever Bulls legend and fan-favorite in Derrick Rose means the world to the city of Chicago and Bulls fans everywhere. Hopefully there’s more where this came from.