The Legend of Derrick Rose

15 years after an otherwise illustrious and accomplished career, Derrick Rose remains one of the greatest ‘What If?’ stories in the history of American sports.

He started his career as the number one pick in the 2008 NBA draft. He was chosen by the legendary Chicago Bulls. The shadow of Michael Jordan still looms over the Bulls franchise to this day, and the sports world was extremely excited for what may have been the second coming of the GOAT.

By 2011, only three years in the league, Derrick Rose had become the youngest MVP in NBA history at the age of 22. Although his championship dreams that year were destroyed by the Miami Heat, it took Lebron James and Dwayne Wade to stop him. Even though he didn’t make it to the NBA Finals, nobody would dare to consider referring to D-Rose as any kind of ‘loser.’ He was an overnight sensation, and his future was bright.

By the start of the next season, he had the whole world in his hands. The Bulls finished the 2012 season with 50 wins. However, this is where his tale began to take a turn for the worst.

The injury

In the first game of the 2012 playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Chicago Bulls were on a roll. They were up by 12 points with less than a  minute and a half left. At one point during the game, Derrick landed awkwardly from a jump. A hush of worrying silence struck the crowd as he writhed in pain and clutched at his leg.

He was removed from the game. An MRI was later performed, which revealed that he sustained an ACL tear that could take up to one year to recover.

What is the ACL?

The ACL is the anterior cruciate ligament in your knee. It connects your thigh (femur) to your shin (tibia). It is guarded by the kneecap (patella). The ACL holds the tibia in place, which allows you to rotate your knee. It also keeps the knee stable, preventing it from rotating or bending too much.

ACL tears are graded in 3 tiers.

1: Partially damaged. The ACL endures mild damage and it is stretched.

2: Loosened and partially torn. This causes pain and instability.

3: Complete tear. It is usually accompanied by swelling, bruising, and severe pain.

Derrick Rose suffered a complete tear. This forced him to miss the entirety of the following season. The loss of such an important asset and leader was a dark omen over the Chicago Bulls.

Relocation

When he returned to the Bulls in the 2013-2014 season after 18 months, it was clear that this was not the same athlete. He lacked the energy, strength, and drive that he had previously. The coaches kept taking him out and putting him back into their starting five. Chicago stopped believing in Rose, and it seemed that, maybe, he couldn’t help but stop believing in himself too.

He would spend the following years bouncing between different teams, such as the Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, and Memphis Grizzlies.

This being said, to be able to play in the NBA, you have to be an elite level athlete. Everyone in the NBA are some of the best in the world, bar none. He has had many incredible performances after his injury, most notably a career high 50 point game as part of the Minnesota Timberwolves vs the Utah Jazz. The Minnesota fans’ chants echoed throughout the arena, “MVP! MVP! MVP!”

The Dream

In 2021, a fan saw Rose outside of the Kerlan Jobe orthopedic facility at Cedars-Sinai. The young fan told Rose “he’s the man,” but Rose solemnly responded “Nah man, I wish. Not anymore. I wish.”

Derrick Rose was set to return in the 2024-2025 season pending his doctor’s approval.

Making it to the NBA at all is the fulfillment of a dream for millions of people. It is a gigantic accomplishment to make it there, let alone stay there for years.

Retirement

On September 26, 2024, Derrick Rose announced his retirement via social media. He was one of the most captivating and beloved athletes of his time. Derrick left a lasting impression on how the sport is played, and how seriously athletes should take conditioning and rehabilitation processes.

Many people are left wondering if Derrick Rose could have surpassed Michael Jordan as the greatest player to ever wear a Bulls Jersey if he didn’t get injured. Even without a championship ring, he’s close to the top of the list.

D-Rose’s retirement will leave a void that’s going to be hard to fil for years to come. He will always be remembered as a student of the game and a beloved figure. He is a first ballot hall of famer, and may go down in history as one of the best basketball players to never win a ring.

If you need help rehabilitating an ACL injury, visit Healthpointe today.

Healthpointe specializes in physical healthcare, and we have an extensive roster of board certified physicians who are well suited to help with pain management. Our team can help assist you with prevention and treatment of a variety of ailments. Fill out this form to set up an appointment.

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