Following Derrick Rose’s formal retirement, the Chicago Bulls are paying a heartfelt homage to him before their game against the Knicks on Saturday. Bulls pundit Stacey King boldly compared the former NBA point guard to Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player of all time, as supporters and commentators worldwide unite to commemorate Rose.
Some fans would consider it sacrilegious to compare Rose to Michael Jordan. But King thinks Rose was better than the average NBA great. During his tenure with the Bulls, he led the team and represented his brand in a way that brought out the best in everyone.
King stated via The Athletic, “If he never goes down, he retires a Bull. If he stays healthy and on the trajectory he was going on, he’s Michael Jordan… If they don’t put him in the Hall of Fame, it’s an injustice. When he was healthy, there was nothing like him.”
He added, “That kid was not only a special player, but he was a special person. People who don’t know him might think something differently. But I guarantee you this: If you ask anybody who knows him or played with him, they’ll never have a bad word to say about him. That’s rare for a superstar.”
When it comes to accomplishments, Bulls icon Michael Jordan is unrivaled. Both fans and analysts agree that he is the best player ever. He has won six championships, five MVP awards, and ten scoring leaders. Like Michael Jackson in the 1990s, Derrick Rose had the support of the whole city, but he never quite matched Michael’s accomplishments.
A Glimpse At Derrick Rose’s Intriguing Career
In September 2024, Derrick Rose, 36, declared his NBA retirement. During his 15 years as a professional, the former NBA point guard averaged 17.4 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.2 rebounds a game while shooting 45.6%. He played for the Cavaliers, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Pistons, Bulls, and Knicks throughout his career.
Naturally, Rose‘s time in Chicago from 2008 to 2016 was his strongest period. In 2009, after being selected first overall, Rose immediately established himself as the NBA’s Rookie of the Year. The entire city celebrated his reputation as one of the NBA’s top guards, and his early years with the Bulls were among the greatest in the team’s recent history.
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Regretfully, Derrick’s career was derailed by injuries, and things were never the same. Things began to go south during the 2011–12 season when Rose only appeared in 39 games due to several persistent ailments. Rose’s career is still regarded as one of the greatest “what-ifs” in basketball history. However, Bulls supporters continue to consider it frequently.
Also Read: Former NBA Veteran Reveals One Big Reason Why Derrick Rose Belongs In Hall Of Fame