Thursday, September 26, 2024 — The news has just dropped. Derrick Rose is retiring… Some will say it’s been years since he was merely a shadow of his former self, but true fans know that Pooh was still himself, just in a different way. His career may not have reached the heights that were once promised, but it remains deeply etched in the hearts of the fans he won along the way.
Sure, the path wasn’t always smooth sailing, but it was overflowing with emotions! Derrick Martell Rose said it himself in his announcement: this isn’t a goodbye to basketball, but a thank you! And we, too, thank you in return, Derrick! As a tribute, let’s look back at the career of the NBA’s youngest MVP!
A remarkable start at Memphis!
Born in Chicago, more precisely in Englewood—a neighborhood plagued by drugs—Derrick Rose, the son of Brenda Rose, grew up learning basketball with his three older brothers. This sport kept him from falling into the wrong path, all while he dreamed of reaching the NBA to support his family financially.
His early rise was impressive but also tainted by a now-famous controversy. While taking his exams, Derrick, with the help of a teammate, cheated to pass. This decision would come back to haunt him during his rookie season. The penalty could have been a suspension, but fortunately for Rose, NBA commissioner David Stern decided to brush the issue aside, sparing him any major consequences.
In high school, he led his team to two state championships and was quickly recognized as the best point guard prospect. In 2008, he was drafted first overall by the Chicago Bulls, becoming the great hope for a franchise longing to reclaim its glory days after Michael Jordan’s retirement.
From great hope to the NBA’s youngest MVP
In terms of storytelling, that first draft pick was perfect. The hometown kid coming back to Chicago—it’s as symbolic as LeBron James being drafted by Cleveland! Right from the start, D. Rose proved he belonged. He quickly validated his potential by winning the undisputed Rookie of the Year award. This electrifying point guard was a rising star, too fast, jumping too high, and defending too fiercely. This young man was ready!
During the 2009-2010 season, Derrick Rose sent another strong signal to the league, averaging nearly 21 points per game. However, the Bulls fell short in the first round of the playoffs, losing to a Cavaliers team led by the duo of LeBron James and an aging Shaquille O’Neal. But that was just a taste of what was to come, because the following year, Rose would steal the MVP title right out of LeBron’s hands, becoming the youngest MVP in NBA history. The legend of Derrick Rose was officially underway!
And truthfully, if LeBron James hadn’t made The Decision and taken his talents to Miami alongside D. Wade and Chris Bosh, perhaps the Windy City Assassin wouldn’t have stopped at the Conference Finals. Maybe he would’ve faced the Dallas Mavericks and their German Hall of Famer, Dirk Nowitzki, for the title! One of the many “what-ifs” that surround Derrick’s career. Because even though Rose was practically unguardable, the Heat’s trio was simply unbeatable.
« He’s the MVP this season. He deserves it. He’s been playing incredibly well. Really, he deserves it, no doubt about it. And if he doesn’t win it, well, he’ll know exactly what I went through for years… »
Injuries: Making Derrick Rose one of the NBA’s greatest “What Ifs”
Having missed only six games over the previous regular seasons, the 2011-2012 campaign marked a turning point in Derrick Rose’s career. That season, Rose sat out 27 of the 66 games due to a series of injuries—groin, back, ankle, toe… Despite his frequent absences, the Chicago Bulls finished atop the Eastern Conference with a solid record of 18 wins and 9 losses in his absence.
But the ultimate blow came in the first game of the playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers. Derrick suffered a severe knee injury, and fans worldwide held their breath. The diagnosis came swiftly: a torn ACL. This injury ended not only his season but also the Bulls’ hopes of advancing past the second round, especially after Joakim Noah also went down in Game 2.
To make matters worse, Derrick Rose’s chance to represent Team USA at the London Olympics vanished. During his recovery, his sponsor Adidas released a documentary series titled The Return, chronicling his rehabilitation journey and unwavering determination to come back stronger.
2013-2014: A short-lived return
The anticipation for Derrick Rose’s return was immense. However, fate dealt him another cruel hand. After just ten games into the 2013-2014 season, he re-injured himself, this time tearing his meniscus in his right knee. On November 25, Rose underwent surgery, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season. Yet, his pre-injury stats showed flashes of the old Derrick Rose, as he averaged 16.5 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.2 rebounds in 31 minutes per game.
2014-2015: Hope rekindled
After helping Team USA win the World Championship, Rose made another much-anticipated comeback during the 2014-2015 pre-season. One of the most memorable moments from this period was his electrifying performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers, title contenders, where he showcased his talents once again.
When the regular season kicked off, Derrick Rose approached the game more cautiously. In the opening match against the New York Knicks, a team ranked among the weakest in the league, Rose didn’t push himself, scoring just 10 points without even playing in the second half. Gradually, though, he began regaining his pre-injury form, leading his team to numerous victories, aided by Pau Gasol and Jimmy Butler, who both earned All-Star selections that season.
Despite his impressive mid-season stats (23.0 points, 6.5 assists, 5.1 rebounds in 31.1 minutes per game), Rose was notably left out of the All-Star Game. But on February 25, 2015, more devastating news arrived: Derrick Rose needed yet another surgery on his right knee—the same injury that had sidelined him in 2013. It was a major setback for both Rose and the Bulls.
Even with these hurdles, Derrick Rose managed to shine in the playoffs. On May 8, 2015, during a critical game against the Cavaliers, he delivered a moment of brilliance that…
A Knicks stint that could’ve been more memorable
Madison Square Garden seemed like the perfect fit, even if Derrick Rose was caught off guard by the Bulls’ decision to trade him. He landed in New York, where fans eagerly awaited his arrival—what could be more poetic than a rose blooming in the Garden? Despite delivering solid, promising performances, the team struggled to capitalize. Some pointed fingers at Carmelo Anthony, claiming his ball-dominant playstyle clashed with the infamous triangle offense. Yet, hope wasn’t entirely lost.
A stint with the King, then stops in Minnesota and Detroit
After years of battling LeBron James early in his career, Rose found himself in a seemingly favorable position—on paper, at least. The Cleveland Cavaliers had brought in Dwyane Wade, Derrick Rose, and Isaiah Thomas, a trio that looked promising. Wade, the seasoned veteran, was still dangerous, while Rose and Thomas were hungry for a comeback.
However, Thomas arrived injured and was slated to be the primary point guard, forcing Rose to split minutes with Wade and José Calderón. Despite the potential, coaching decisions and constant lineup changes disrupted the chemistry. The Cavaliers’ front office was intent on seeing Thomas take charge, but his recovery from a serious hip injury slowed his progress. As the season neared the playoffs and the team sensed a looming disaster, all three—Thomas, Wade, and Rose—were traded.
Rose was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, reuniting with his former Chicago coach, Tom Thibodeau. This felt like the fresh start he needed. The team had talent, but it was on the brink of imploding—thanks to another former Bulls teammate, Jimmy “Buckets” Butler. Now a superstar, Butler was thrilled to reunite with Rose, but the dynamic had shifted. Butler was the new leader, known for his intense work ethic and fiery demeanor, which clashed with the softer approach of Karl-Anthony Towns at the time.
Despite the internal friction, Rose shined in the playoffs, even as the Wolves fell to James Harden’s Rockets. The following season, Butler’s eventual departure caused more turmoil, but not before Rose had his moment of redemption. In a performance that will forever be etched in memory, Derrick Rose dropped 50 points and sealed the game with a clutch block—a triumphant reminder of the greatness he still possessed.
The rise of the Timberwolves, a team loaded with potential, was abruptly halted by the Jimmy Butler controversy. The former Chicago Bull forced his way out, dragging the team through a turbulent finish to the season, leaving many what-ifs in his wake.
Derrick Rose soon found himself in Detroit, where he continued to perform consistently. Despite his efforts and the presence of Blake Griffin, the Pistons failed to excite fans. He signed a two-year deal but left after just one season, returning to New York for another stint at Madison Square Garden.
The Rose blooms again in the Garden, then off to Memphis
Fans were hopeful once more—Derrick Rose was back at the Garden. Under the familiar leadership of Coach Thibodeau, things started off well in his return to New York. However, the excitement soon fizzled out as Thibs began to limit Rose’s minutes, relegating him to the bench. Like his teammate Evan Fournier, Rose was left scrambling for playing time during garbage minutes, a situation that stifled his rhythm.
Eventually, he found himself fully benched, a veteran presence without a role on the court. The frustration among fans grew as they watched their former MVP languish on the sidelines. But just when all seemed lost, salvation came in the form of a call from Memphis—a city filled with nostalgia and home to the rising star Ja Morant. Rose was offered the chance to play in the playoffs, reviving hope for a last dance.
The story looked promising. Veteran leadership from Marcus Smart and Derrick Rose, alongside the young, explosive Morant, seemed like a winning formula. But things quickly unraveled. Ja Morant found himself entangled in off-court troubles once again, leading to a suspension that drained the energy of an already battered team, further weakened by the injury to Steven Adams. When Morant returned mid-season, it was too little, too late. To secure his future, he opted for surgery, shutting down his season. As for Derrick Rose, he wouldn’t see the court again, but the promise of the next season loomed large.
Sadly, that promise would never come to fruition. On Thursday, September 26th, just a month before the season’s start, Derrick Rose announced his retirement. His career, one filled with passion, laughter, and tears, had come to an emotional end. He shared the news first through social media, releasing a series of heartfelt video clips, followed by a letter. It was a bittersweet moment, but one that made sense. The Chicago native deserved his rest, and the time to focus on his family.
Now, the debate begins: will Derrick Rose be inducted into the Hall of Fame? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain—his legacy is etched in the hearts of fans forever.
Thank you for everything, champ!
« For him, ‘the sky is the limit.’ You can really see the progress he’s made with his shooting since last season and how much he’s taken his game to another level. I don’t think you can develop a killer instinct — you either have it or you don’t. And he’s had it since high school. »
Accolades
Team USA
Gold medalist in the World Championship 2010 in Turkey.- Gold medalist in the World Cup 2014 in Spain.
Franchise
- Centrale Division‘s Champion 2011 and 2012 with Chicago Bulls.
Personal Accolades
- NBA Most Valuable Player in 2011.
- NBA Rookie of the Year in 2009.
- All-NBA First Team in 2011.
- NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2009.
- Player of the month Eastern Conference in april 2010 and in march 2011.
- Eastern Conference’s Rookie of the month in november and december 2008 and in march 2009.
- 3 times NBA All-Star Game : 2010 (bench), 2011 et 2012.
- Winner of the Skills Challenge in the NBA All-Star Week-end 2009.
