With the first pick in 2008 NBA Draft the Chicago Bulls selected Derrick Rose to be the savior of their franchise. They'd struggled to compete for championships since Michael Jordan took his last shot as a Bull in the 1998 Finals and fans expected Rose to change that.He not only had the pressure of being a number one pick but also the added pressure to bring his hometown team back to the forefront of the league.
In his first season he won rookie of year and by his third season he was crowned as the Most Valuable Player making him the youngest player to ever win the award at just 22 years old. During his MVP season Rose led the Bulls to the Eastern Conference Finals where they fell short to Lebron James and the Miami Heat.
The 2011 season was the apex of Rose's career in Chicago because the following season injuries began to slow down the explosive superstar. In the first round of the 2012 playoffs Rose leaped toward the basket and his left knee gave out. He'd torn his ACL and would be forced to miss the rest of the playoffs and the entire 2012 -2013 season.
Rose made his return 2013-2014 season averaging 15.9 points and 4.3 assists per game before tearing his right meniscus two months into the season. The tear caused Rose to miss the remainder of the season. Once again he began the rehab process. During the 2014-2015 season Rose appeared in 51 regular season games and 12 playoff games despite tearing his right meniscus again.
Last season Rose battled through an orbital bone fracture and nagging knee injuries to appear in 66 games which were the most his played in since his MVP season averaging 16.4 points and 4.7 assists per game. In the second half of last season Rose gained confidence and briefley returned to MVP form dropping scoring over 30 points in multiple games.
Now at 27 years old Derrick Rose's time is up in Chicago. Rose was traded to the New York Knicks with Justin Holiday and a second round pick for Jose Calderon, Jerian Grant, and Robin Lopez. The trade gives Rose the opportunity to leave his injury riddled past behind him and start fresh in the big apple. A change of scenery is what Rose has needed all along.
Chicago will always be his home but you can't stay at home forever. He'll be the starting point guard for the Knicks on opening night next season will look to leave a mark in the Mecca of basketball. Teaming with Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis the team is now just a piece or two away from contending in the Eastern Conference.
