Bulls fans everywhere have just been hit with startling news: the Chicago Bulls have traded Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks. The Bulls, collaborating with their franchise long rivals, traded point guard Derrick Rose, Justin Holiday and a 2017 second round pick in the NBA draft. In exchange, the Bulls received Robin Lopez at center, Jose Calderon at guard and Jerian Grant at guard. This trade not only caught the attention of the media, but of the many fans that have followed Rose throughout his career.
Born in Chicago, Rose is a native of the Englewood community, and was point guard for the Simeon High School basketball team. He then went on to play basketball for the University of Memphis, where his talents continued to bring him attention from the NBA. In 2008, he was selected No.1 overall draft pick to the Chicago Bulls. His first season, he was named Rookie Of The Year, and two seasons after, he was awarded the NBA's Most Valuable Player award. Rose was the youngest player in league history to earn this award, being selected at the age of 22.
Rose signed a five-year, $94 million contract with the Bulls, validating his talent in the league. In his career with the Bulls, Rose was best known for leading Chicago to the playoffs, dynamic and acrobatic lay-ups, and his mid-range jumper which kept defenders on their heels every possession down the stretch. His verticality also allowed him to dunk with emphasis and power. While the trade between Chicago and New York was disappointing for the majority of Chicago fans, Rose seems very optimistic.
In a recent press conference for the New York Knicks, Derrick Rose was introduced as their newest player and sat down with reporters for an interview. One reporter asked Rose why he thought he might've been traded, to which the former Bull stated: "I don't know why I was traded, but I'd like to tell them thank you." He was then asked why he said thank you, and he replied, " I mean, for giving me another start, I could've been anywhere, I'm grateful..." Rose, among most of his fan base and many Chicago Bulls fans, all expressed their hurt at the decision of the front office, as they felt he was not only a great athlete, but the future of the Bulls franchise.
In the same interview, Rose discussed some of his views on the upcoming season, and also gave reporters an idea as to what he felt he will bring to the Garden and the Knicks basketball team. He was asked how invigorated he was to play for the season, and he responded, "I'm taking all of this in... I feel like something really special is going to happen this year man, I really don't know what, but I feel like it's something special.... I'm putting in all the work... I think when I look back at it, the most time I've had this much time to really focus on basketball was the year before I won MVP." Rose also talked about his workout regimen, telling reporters that he worked out six days of the week, which included playing basketball and dynamic movement work.
Even though the former MVP has been traded to the Knicks, Chicago fans have expressed their faithfulness to continue supporting him in his career. Many have even been swayed to support the Knicks as a whole, because of Rose's career with the Bulls. Rose will wear the number 25, which is the number he wore at Simeon High School in honor of Ben "Benji" Wilson, who was killed.While it's not apparent if Rose will return to Chicago or not, what is apparent is that he will always have Chicago on his mind, and in his heart.
