“I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them.” - Andy Bernard.

That is how I feel when talking about the electric point guard Derrick Rose of Chicago. Not only did the Bulls have less than a one percent chance of landing the number one pick in the 2008 draft, but Rose had less than a half-percent chance to even play in the NBA. I was in favor of drafting Michael Beasley, who was coming off a sensational freshman season at Kansas State averaging 26 points and 12 rebounds a game. He felt like a natural fit alongside Kirk Hinrich, Luol Deng, and Joakim Noah.

But Rose was a different breed.

The Rise

One of the best prep prospects Chicago has produced, Rose followed a legendary lineage by attending Simeon Career Academy. He led the school to two 2AA state titles and delivered noteworthy performances, including hitting the game-winning shot in the 2006 State Title game and making an impressive sophomore debut during an ESPN-televised matchup. The moxy, swagger, and fluidity with which he played made it feel like his team was never out of the game. At the NBA draft combine, Rose showed off a 40-inch vertical along with his near three-second ¾ court speed, which at the time was a top 10 record. He had a smooth mid-range floater that kept his defenders on their heels. In his only year at Memphis, Rose led the Tigers to the national championship game. A couple of months later, he became a Bull, and that set the stage for potentially the story of a lifetime.

The Dream

Rose wanted to be a Bull and wanted to bring his hometown team a title. Many run from the ghost of Michael Jordan. The Bulls have not gotten one notable free-agent or franchise-altering player since the retirement of Michael Jordan in 1998. That all changed when the Bulls drafted Rose. The fanbase felt new energy. During his rookie season, Rose helped the Bulls get back to the playoffs and went toe-to-toe with the defending champion Boston Celtics. In his playoff debut, Rose dropped an NBA record 36 points and 11 assists in an overtime victory in Game 1. He followed up his rookie season by averaging 20 points along with 6 assists per game. He also made his first All-Star Game as a reserve.

Then the hype began with a simple phrase that would become the unofficial slogan of his third season. ”Why can’t I be the MVP in the league? Why can’t I be the best player in the league? I don’t see why not.” The statement was audacious and bold as Rose was confident letting his game do the talking. He led the Bulls to a league-best 62 wins, the only time since the Jordan-era when the Bulls won 60+games in a season. He was the only player to be top 10 in the league in points and assists per game, en route to winning the league MVP at 22, being the youngest player in NBA history. He stopped Lebron James from winning his 3rd straight MVP at the time and four of five awards overall. The Bulls made it to the Conference Finals in 2011 but fell in five games to the Miami Heat. The Bulls felt ahead of schedule and ready to compete for championships for the decade under their budding superstar.

The Fall

Bulls’ fans remember when he made that pro-hop into the lane, and landed awkwardly. The call “Rose is down, holding on to his knee and down”. The city fell silent. It is one thing to lose title hopes by elimination, to get bested by a better team. But this one stung more. The Bulls' title chances were done for the season, and for more seasons to come. Rose tore his ACL in Game 1 in the first round of the 2012 playoffs. He was out for the next year and did not return until late into the 2013-2014 season.

In the following seasons, Rose continued to get hurt. He tore his MCL in 2013-14 and then tore it again in 2015, along with an orbital fracture. As the injuries piled up, Rose continued to battle back. Unfortunately, this stripped him of his athleticism and playing time. Once a potential top player in the world, he became a Sixth Man, and eventually a savvy veteran who mentors the younger players.

Put A Bouquet On It

When it comes to Derrick Rose, we watched how someone could rise in their craft, and how easily it can all be taken away. If he wasn't injured, his career could be defined by many what-ifs. He loved putting in the work and wanted to be one of the best players to wear a Bulls jersey. Rose was the total package. He retired in September 2024 and in early January 2025, the Bulls honored Rose with a weekend of memories and tributes to the Chicago legend. In January 2026, Rose will be enshrined in the United Center rafters alongside the other greats of this organization, where he belongs, as the second-best player in Bulls history!