Derrick Rose: Last Season?

Derrick Rose: Last Season?

Fans will celebrate Derrick Rose's legacy as a player. The youngest player who won MVP changed the way players play the point guard position. De'Aaron Fox and Ja Morant are from the same tree as D. Rose. Rose became a superstar early in his career. Then he faced tough battles with injuries. In which he had pivoted and became a role player. That is one of the best parts of D. Rose. The way he was able to make a pivot and extend his career. He was able to retire on his terms.

The Chicago Bulls drafted Derrick Rose first overall to his hometown team. From playing at the University of Memphis to then winning Rookie of the Year in 2008. He was able to win the skills challenge. He was the best thing to happen to Chicago since Michael Jordan. D Rose was the new sense of optimism that Chicago fans had been dying for since 1999. Rose was able to average 16.8 points, 6.3 assists, and 4 rebounds a game, and in the playoffs, he was able to shine. He faced the champions, the Boston Celtics. He scored 36 points, tying Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most rookie playoff points. It was incredible how the Chicago Bulls were able to take on the Celtics to seven games.

D. Rose, in his second season, was able to make a great jump into All Stardom. Earning himself an All-Star spot, which was huge for the Bulls. They had not had a player become an All-Star since Michael Jordan played for the organization. He averaged 20.8 points, 6 assists, and four rebounds. Rose was incredible that season. He was able to lead the Bulls to the eighth seed. Then losing to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Rose averaged 28.8 points per game and 7 assists per game.

D. Rose winning the MVP was legendary, as he was the youngest player to win one. He was nothing but legendary. People were in awe of that young point guard. Hoping he could beat the new villains of the league. He was able to beat out LeBron James and Dwight Howard for the trophy. The Bulls were able to beat the young Pacers team led by Danny Granger and Al Horford's Atlanta Hawks. But unfortunately, they were not able to beat the Big Three Miami Heat team.

Derrick Rose received payment in the 2011-12 off-season. The first rookie to get 30 percent of his salary cap rather than the 25 percent players received before. D Rose was hooping his mind off that season. He was averaging 21.8 points and 8 assists. Once again, the Bulls were the first seed. D Rose suffered an ACL injury in the first round against the Sixers, led by Andre Iguodala. It was sad to see such a legend go down in the first round. It was the start of a downward spiral for the MVP.

In the 2012-13 season, Derrick Rose did not play a single game of basketball. Though the Bulls made the playoffs and lost to the Miami Heat. In the 2014 season, the Chicago Bulls signed former NBA Champion and All-Star Pau Gasol. Jimmy Butler was also on the rise to be a future star in the franchise. In November 2013, D. Rose injured his right knee against the Trailblazers. This put him out of action.

In the 2015 season, there was a new franchise star: Jimmy Butler made his first All-Star selection. D Rose started the season off slow, trying to shake off the injury. However in February, he had a second round of injuries. He played 51 games and averaged 17 points per game and 4.7 assists, which was a far cry from his MVP days. D Rose showed his former self when he scored 21 points per game. In game 3, he dropped 34 points. In round 2 against the Cavs' big three of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love. D Rose was able to hit a legendary buzzer-beater. But the Cavs were able to pull through and win in six 

In the 2015-16 season, D. Rose had facial surgery. His notable games were against the Lakers led by Kobe Bryant, who was playing his final season. D. Rose dropped 24 points against him. Another one was against Kyrie and the Cavs, where he outplayed Kyrie with 28 but lost the game. That season, the Bulls missed the playoffs, It is the start of the decline of D. Rose's career.

The New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls made an infamous deal. The hometown kid is now traded away to New York in exchange for Robin Lopez and Jose Calderon. Now, D Rose was teammates with Carmelo Anthony and 2nd-year player Kristaps Porzingis. Also, the signing of his Bulls teammates Joakim Noah and Brandon Jennings. People were expecting the Knicks to be a superteam that can beat the Cavs. He disliked playing in the triangle. A left knee meniscus injury kept him out of action, and the Knicks missed the playoffs.

 The following offseason, D. Rose was a free agent. With Kyrie Irving forcing his way out of the Cavs, that forced the Cavs to trade for Isaiah Thomas and sign D. Rose. The Cavs had aging stars like D. Wade. They had solid role players like Jae Crowder, Tristan Thompson, and Iman Shumpert. They surrounded their stars, LeBron James, Kevin Love, and J.R. Smith, with them. There was locker room unrest during the season, which led to massive trades. The Utah Jazz sent Jae Crowder and Derrick Rose. Then the Jazz and Rose agreed to part ways.

 D. Rose was now reunited with Coach Thibs, along with Jimmy Butler, who was now a star, and Taj Gibson. Along with playing with a young Karl Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. On October 31, 2018, Derrick Rose was able to have a legendary performance against the Jazz. Where he dropped 50 points. It was an incredible moment for fans to watch. Despite the injuries, D. Rose was able to show the world that he still belongs in the NBA.

 In the 2019 off-season, Derrick Rose signed with the Detroit Pistons. Teaming up with Blake Griffin, who was coming off his All-Star season. D. Rose was one of the best six men in the league. Though the Pistons started to suck because Blake was dealing with injuries. Then on February 21, 2021, the Knicks traded for D Rose.

 Derrick Rose was now reunited with his former coach Thibs and Taj Gibson. Along with becoming teammates with All-Star Julius Randle. He was solid in his time in New York, as he averaged 12 points and 4 assists per game. This was D. Rose's last major contract, as he got a 3-year, 43 million-dollar deal. He lost his starting position as Jalen Brunson and Immanuel Quickly emerged.

 The Memphis Grizzlies signed D. Rose for the veteran minimum. He is the veteran voice for Ja Morant, who is an up-and-coming player. He stated that he will play next season. There is a chance that he could declare retirement after this season.

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