Entering the league back in 2008 as the top overall draft pick, not many took notice of the former University of Memphis Tiger. At 6-foot-1, not many gave Derrick Rose much attention until he started to show what he could do.
Blooming Rose
His spunk allowed him to be adjudged the NBA MVP in 2011, making him the youngest player to win the prestigious award. Little did Rose know that it would be the last spotlight of his tenure in Chicago. An ACL tear on his left knee in April, 2012 would change the course of his career.
Rose and his new path
Rose would try to return in succeeding years but somehow the basketball gods were simply keeping him from returning to full active duty. It was only last season that Rose’s presence was felt again though he was playing with more caution.
New home, new start?
The trade rumors involving Derrick Rose hounded him as early as last season though many saw it hard to consummate because of his fat contract. The understanding was that Rose would play out the final year before being let go by the Bulls.
Fortunately there was a team willing to take him in – the Knicks. It was a big deal involving multiple players. The Knicks sent Robin Lopez, Jose Calderon and Jerian Grant in exchange for Rose, Justin Holiday and a future 2017 round pick, ESPN reports.
With the trade over and done with, will Derrick Rose evolve yet again and help the Knicks improve next season? In Rose, the Knicks address a void that they had long wanted to fill – the point guard position. They wanted someone who could shoot, slash and get everyone involved. With Rose, they get all of that.
But the question now is will Rose go all out despite his history of injuries? Today, that is perhaps the question playing in the minds of many. His knees are suspect and such will continue for the rest of his career. At 27 years of age, that could be a long way off depending on how healthy he can be.
Updating the Rose Legacy
Derrick Rose’s legacy in Chicago is not expected to die soon, ESPN reports. But the reality of it all is that he can start a new one in New York and potentially append his whole NBA legacy. All that starts when the curtains rise for the 2016-17 NBA season.
Check out the video below on what critics are saying about Derrick Rose. Can he help New York's campaing next NBA season?