Chicago Bulls: 3 former players fans would love back for Christmas

2) Former Chicago Bulls fans want back for Christmas

I do want to say with this name on the list, that obviously the version that Bulls fans would want back is his pre-injury self. And however unrealistic that is to expect from the former Bulls superstar point guard (now playing for the divisional foe Detroit Pistons) Derrick Rose, this is still a Christmas wish list we’re talking about.

Rose is finding his way in a new found role with the Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves over the course of the last two or three seasons. It seems to work well for Rose to play in a more limited role off the bench than he did in his latter days with the Bulls, or throughout his tenure with the New York Knicks.

During the shortened 2019-20 regular season, Rose played in 50 games for the Pistons (15 of which he started in). And he averaged 18.1 points per game, 2.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.3 blocks. Rose shot 49.0 percent from the field, 30.6 percent from beyond the arc, and 87.1 percent from the free-throw line.

Rose also got off to a solid start this season for the Pistons. In their regular season opener on Dec. 23 against the Timberwolves, Rose played well but the Pistons wound up with a 10-point loss. He registered 15 points, one rebound, six assists, two steals, and one block.

Moreover, it was nine years ago today that Rose had that classic battle with the Los Angeles Lakers great shooting guard and Hall-of-Famer Kobe Bryant. He hit the game winner against Kobe and the Lakers on Christmas day 2011 to get the Bulls a big win.