Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Derrick Rose says he knows the people who gave up on him after his four knee surgeries and is appreciative of the fans in Chicago and around the world who supported him through all the trials and tribulations he has been through during his NBA career.
Derrick Rose returned to Chicago on Wednesday and put on a show for his hometown. The former league MVP finished with 24 points and eight assists while shooting 11-of-19 from the field in 38 minutes to help the Timberwolves defeat the Bulls by a final score of 119-94.
Rose: "I’m happy I didn’t change throughout this whole process. I remained myself. I stayed true to my family. There was a lot of people that jumped off the boat when I was going through things. I seen who they were. I know what’s fake love and what’s real love."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) December 27, 2018
Since becoming the youngest MVP in NBA history back in 2011 with the Bulls, Derrick Rose has suffered four knee injuries, been traded by his hometown Bulls, traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers, and waived by the Utah Jazz.
Article Continues BelowAt one point, Rose was on the open market for a while last season after getting waived by the Jazz and was seen shooting in an empty gym in Cleveland by himself. Pretty much everyone who covers the NBA thought Rose's playing career was over.
However, Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau signed Derrick Rose for the rest of the season in March and Rose has taken advantage of that in a big way. The Chicago native had a strong playoff run against the Houston Rockets during the 2018 postseason, and this season, Rose is arguably the front-runner for the Sixth Man of the Year award.
For all the die-hard D-Rose fans in Chicago and around the world who supported and believed in him all these years, they are getting rewarded for their loyalty this season. Derrick Rose is a prime example of how if you believe in yourself and work hard, you can overcome anything.