When Derrick Rose was drafted number one overall in 2008 to the Chicago Bulls, it felt like this was already written somewhere and just had to come in fruition. His story was similar to the likes of LeBron James. State Phenom, multiple state champion, spectacular athlete and player, dynamic fan base, and being drafted number one to his home team, made his trajectory bigger than your average top recruit entering the draft.
His career started off as many thought it would, right away Derrick brought life and joy into the United Center and the Bulls Organization. His smile lit up a room, his tenacity on the floor inspired the youth, and his humbleness ingratiated himself amongst the fans and the city. The Bulls were reaching the playoffs and Derrick went on to become the youngest regular season MVP in NBA history, but just like most stories there is always a portion in the middle that breaks down your heroes.
Derrick suffered knee injury after another that kept him out of being able to compete, help his team win championships and most importantly do what he loves. But what was even more disheartening was the level of scrutiny that was placed on Derrick during those times of injuries.
See, being the heart of the city, when Derrick went down with those injuries it deflated everything. Everything and everyone was on an emotional high, feeling like we were all going to win if Derrick won! He is a south side kid, who practiced on the same courts everyone else did, attended public schools just like most of us and worked his butt off to make his dreams come true. But when people were faced with losing the possibility to win they questioned Derrick's heart. They questioned how hurt he was and if he was able to play. The same city and people who adored him quickly began to malign him when they felt their chance to celebrate a championship go down every time Derrick fell.
It became clear Derrick was aware of that and he began to lash out with hopes of empathy by telling fans that he wants to play but he also wants to be able to walk at his son's graduation. This was the first attempt in my viewership where a mega NBA superstar looked to fans to understand that he was a person first and foremost. The true first, #MORETHANANATHLETE! But it didn't go over so well because fans are fans and they are limited to showing empathy and compassion to millionaires who are playing a "children's game" as an occupation. Really it's because people are envious and due to that envy they look at athletes as just characters in a game and nothing more. Their willingness to be empathetic is overtaken by their jealousy, leaving them to feel like their athletes should be appeasing their needs seeing as though they contribute to their million dollar contracts.
But that is simply not fair, and Derrick was not treated like how he should have been, thus leaving a bitterness in the city that I'm hoping time has healed. The Bulls traded Derrick to the New York Knicks where Derrick showed flashes of his MVP play but still dealt with nagging injuries. His stint in New York showed that Derrick was still trying to come back but was not fully healthy just yet. He needed somewhere to go, to get back to a level of play comparable for an MVP without the pressure and anxiety.
When Tom Thibodeau became the head coach and president of operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves, he gave Derrick just that. An environment where Derrick would be understood, because it was Tom during the Chicago Bulls tenure with Derrick that always stood up for Derrick. He always made sure to let the media know that Derrick would not be rushed by him to do anything. Tom was always bombarded by the media about if Derrick was ready to go or not and Tom would always stick by the words and feelings of his player. So when Derrick got to Minnesota it was like a runner who feels like they can't finish the marathon and then finds that second wind.
Derrick instantly became a great 6th man, contributing off the bench. He became a guy Tom could go to in crunch time to help with facilitating for Towns and Wiggins, and just being another threat on the floor. Derrick brought leadership to a young Minnesota team trying learn how to win in the NBA, but most importantly Derrick was able to regain his confidence and machismo back that he lost when it felt like everyone wanted to give up on him and treat him like the "what could have been" story. Nothing culminated that more than last years 50 point game (Rose's career high), where Derrick gave an inspiring post game interview claiming that "I worked my ass off to get here". With tears in his eyes, the fans chanting MVP, his teammates showering him with hugs and praise, NBA twitter showing love and support from all the players within the league, Derrick proved that once again you get to write your own story.
People will look for ways to write a narrative for you and about you, but it's you that controls your destiny. That's Chicago, the city where you go through just about any and everything, the city that can build you and break you, but ultimately the city where the strongest survive and shine!
Now Derrick is in Detroit averaging 16 points per game and 6 assists, in 24 minutes. He is easily make a case for 6th man of the year, but most importantly he is showing that if needed he can contribute as a starter. He has had a couple game winners this year for Detroit to give you that affirmation that he is still what the Chicago Bulls commentator Stacey King coined, "The Windy City Assassin".
Now all one can hope for is that maybe the city's heart can return and finish what he started and get what he deserves! Derrick Rose....Enough Said!
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