An already strong start to Derrick Rose (Simeon) weekend would quickly become even greater with an early morning announcement on Saturday.
He began the day enjoying a brunch with family, friends, teammates and members of the Chicago Bulls organization.
While Rose made this weekend about giving back to the fans, Bulls ownership met with him and announced that next season his number one jersey will be retired and go to the rafters.
His number 1 Chicago Bulls jersey joins Jerry Sloan (No. 4), Bob Love (No. 10), Michael Jordan (No. 23), and Scottie Pippen (No. 33) to be sent to the rafters. Bill Russell (No. 6) recently had his jersey retired league wide.
“It’s unreal,” Rose said to the CHSN crew. “Even though it is my jersey going up there, the guys that played with me, they are with me. It seems like it is all of us going up there because I did not do it by myself.
In the evening, fans packed the United Center for Derrick Rose Night. They walked into many displays of memorabilia from Rose’s career. Fans had the opportunity to receive a rose, and a t-shirt at their seat as well as purchase a souvenir cup that featured a special DRose design.
The arena was packed 22,491 fans as they honored Rose and watched the Bulls erase a 19-point deficit and get the win.
Of all the guest in house for the event, the most intriguing was Arkansas coach John Calipari. He flew just hours after his Razorbacks suffered a loss. He even made time to catch Kenwood-Romeoville before the Bulls game.
Scroll through the images below to see Coach Cal and Rose.
Rose told the crowd what they have seen of him this week is who he is now and he hopes to continue putting on for his city.
“That is the old Pooh, and I am a business man now.”
My Personal Thoughts
After the announcement of Rose’s jersey retirement, people were quick to voice their thoughts on the news. This jersey debate has gone on for a few years now
Rose was the youngest MVP and his prime was cut short so they accolades and stats are not where many would want them to be for such an honor. People must look past that when we look at his impact. He played a huge role in revitalizing the Chicago Bulls after an ugly 10 year stretch and his impact in the basketball landscape not just in Chicago but in this country is hard to quantify.
The road was not easy but he fought through the hardships.
I also added to the conversation on Twitter. Here are the tweet I shared:
Derrick Rose’s time of greatness was cut short but the glimpses and little bit of resume builders he does have deserves this banner. His legacy in Chicago is beyond the Bulls as he’s inspired a whole generation post-Michael Jordan. He brought eyeballs back to the team, got them to the playoffs and if the injuries didn’t happen, the trophy cases would be looking different.
Michael Jordan spoiled Chicago Bulls fans in the 90s & that is hard to replicate. While this organization needs to do more to build a consistent, top-level program, people shouldn’t be upset w/this move. Don’t rain on Derrick Rose’s parade just because of the failure of another
NBA Games
- Chicago Bulls defeated New York Knicks, 139-126.
- Jevon Carter (Proviso East) did not play due to a coach’s decision.
- Matas Buzelis (Hinsdale Central) is shooting nearly 85 percent (11-for-13) from the line in December and January.
- Buzelis had two points (2-2 FT) with an offensive rebound and a +4 plus-minus in two minutes off the bench.
- Talen Horton-Tucker (Simeon) has played in 18 straight games for Chicago.
- Horton-Tucker had two points (1-1 FG) with an assist, two turnovers, and zero plus-minus in three minutes off the bench.
- His two turnovers were a team-worst tied with Lonzo Ball.
- Jalen Brunson (Stevenson) and the Knicks have lost back-to-back for just the second time this season. Their last back-to-back losses came on November 4 and 6 (both road games).
- Brunson had 33 points (11-20 FG, 1-4 3PT, 10-11 FT) with two rebounds (one offensive), eight assists, two steals, a turnover, and a -18 plus-minus in 33 minutes.
- His 10 made free throws were a game-high.
- His 11 free throw attempts were a game-high.
- His two steals were a game-high tied with Chicago’s Lonzo Ball.
- Detroit Pistons defeated Minnesota Timberwolves, 119-105.
- Terrence Shannon Jr. (Lincoln Park) did not play due to a coach’s decision.
- Golden State Warriors defeated Memphis Grizzlies, 121-113.
- John Konchar (West Chicago) did not play due to a coach’s decision.
G League Games
- San Diego Clippers defeated Sioux Falls Skyforce, 113-100.
- Cam Christie (Rolling Meadows) had 32 points (11-23 FG, 6-14 3PT, 3-4 FT) with six rebounds (two offensive), three steals, a turnover, and a +2 plus-minus in 37 minutes.
- Capital City Go-Go defeated Indiana Mad Ants, 123-114.
- RayJ Dennis (Oswego East) had 14 points (4-13 FG, 2-7 3PT, 2-2 FT) with four rebounds (two offensive), eight assists, three steals, a turnover, and a -13 plus-minus in 35 minutes in his debut for Indiana.
- Santa Cruz Warriors defeated Iowa Wolves, 136-130.
- Nojel Eastern (Evanston) had 13 points (4-7 FG, 1-2 3PT, 2-3 FT) with four rebounds (one offensive), two assists, three steals, a block, a turnover, and a -6 plus-minus in 36 minutes.
- Austin Spurs defeated Raptors 905, 115-84.
- Frank Kaminsky (Benet) had six points (2-6 FG, 2-5 3PT) with two rebounds, an assist, and a -10 plus-minus in 18 minutes.
- Windy City Bulls defeated Texas Legend, 89-88.
- Ben Coupet Jr. (Simeon) had 10 points (4-6 FG, 0-1 FG, 1-1 FT) with three rebounds, a turnover, and a -9 plus-minus in 31 minutes off the bench.
- E.J. Liddell (Belleville West) had eight points (4-8 FG, 0-1 3PT) with three rebounds, an assist, three steals, a block, two turnovers, and a +17 plus-minus in 28 minutes.
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