Alright, basketball junkies, buckle up! Derrick Rose, the legend himself, has officially hung up his sneakers after an epic 16-year ride in the NBA. Let’s dive into the highs, lows, and everything in between of D-Rose’s incredible journey.
Farewell, D-Rose!
So, Derrick Rose, who just turned 36, decided to call it quits. This came right after he asked the Memphis Grizzlies to release him from his contract. Last season, he played 24 games for the Grizz, averaging 8 points, 1.9 boards, and 3.3 dimes per game. Not too shabby for a vet, right?
Rose shared his thoughts with ESPN, saying, “Knowing that I gave my all to the game, I feel confident in my decision. Basketball was just the beginning for me. Now, itโs important that I give my all to my family โ they deserve that.”
After 15 NBA seasons, Derrick Rose is retiring from basketball. Rose, the youngest MVP in NBA history, tells @TheAthletic: “The next chapter is about chasing my dreams and sharing my growth.”
โ Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
And if you’re on Instagram, you might’ve caught his heartfelt retirement letter. “Thank You, My First Loveโฆ,โ he wrote. โYou believed in me through the highs and lows, my constant when everything else seemed uncertain. You showed me what love truly meant. You turned the court into my sanctuary, a home where I could express myself freely. You made every early morning and late night we spent together worth every drop of sweat.”
From Chi-Town to MVP Glory
Flashback to 2008: The Chicago Bulls snagged Rose as the No. 1 overall pick out of Memphis. The 6’3″ guard didn’t waste any time making his mark. He bagged Rookie of the Year honors and was an All-Star for three straight seasons. But the real magic happened in 2010-11 when, at just 22, he became the youngest MVP in NBA history, dropping 25 points and 7.7 assists per game. The Bulls dominated with a 62-20 record, making it all the way to the Eastern Conference finals.
Derrick Rose forever
โ Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls)
But then came the heartbreak. Rose tore his ACL in the 2012 playoffs, sidelining him for the entire next season. He only managed to play 10 games in 2013-14. In my opinion, that injury was one of the biggest “what ifs” in NBA history.
The Journeyman Era
After his Bulls days, Rose bounced around the league. He had stints with the Knicks, Cavs, Timberwolves, Pistons, and finally, the Grizzlies. Over 723 career games, he averaged 17.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists. Not bad for a guy who faced so many setbacks, huh?
One of his most memorable moments came in 2018 when he dropped a career-high 50 points against the Jazz. That game was pure magic. And let’s not forget his playoff career-high of 44 points in 2011 against the Hawks.
Rose wraps up his career with some solid stats: 12,573 points, 2,324 rebounds, 3,770 assists, 536 steals, 242 blocks, and 22,054 minutes played. Over the last three seasons, he only suited up for 77 games, including 24 for Memphis.
So, what do you think? Is this the end of an era or the start of something new for D-Rose? Drop your thoughts below!
