Derrick Rose will go down as one of the biggest what ifs in NBA history. After becoming the youngest winner of NBA MVP honors back in 2011, his reign as one of the best players of his generation was cut short because of multiple knee injuries.
Since 2015, Rose became an NBA journeyman, as he has had stints with the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and just this season, the Detroit Pistons. He's still showing flashes of his old self, but it is pretty clear he's already past his prime.
That being said, a lot of fans are wondering this: If Rose never got injured, would he have led the Bulls to a championship?
Rose gave his sentiments on this matter by saying that although winning the title was the Bulls' primary goal during his time there, he isn't really sure if they would have succeeded, via NBC Sports Chicago's KC Johnson:
“I mean, that’s a lot of ifs. That was something we were fighting for. I think we were very focused and locked in on that. That was one of the goals. But that was something that was in the past. And them memories, we will always cherish. But we’re going to leave that in the past.”
If Rose stayed healthy during his time with the Bulls, that team would've been the biggest threat to LeBron James' Miami Heat, who went to the NBA Finals for four straight seasons (2011-2014). LeBron's Heat beat Rose's Bulls in the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals, but there were no future battles due to the injuries.
Rose has stated on multiple occasions that he's no longer dwelling on the past and is just happy he's able to prolong his career despite the string of serious injuries he had in the past.
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