10, 2017, Rose was fined by the Knicks after he flew home to Chicago for family reasons without notifying the team before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Rose played well during the 2016-17 season, averaging 18 points, 4.4 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 64 games. (Rose’s accuser will reportedly have her appeal heard in November.) In October 2016, a federal jury in Los Angeles found Rose and his friends not liable. During this time, Rose was also dealing with a civil lawsuit that accused Rose and two friends of raping Rose’s ex-girlfriend. Rose was traded from the Chicago Bulls to the New York Knicks on June 22, 2016. Winning MVP so young, doing this and doing that, I was caught in it.” A lot of people don’t get the chance to tap out, and they get caught up into the propaganda. This whole time off or even getting injured, it was my way of tapping out. But I am going to do what is best for myself and sit out a year to get healthy enough to step on the court. You’re mad because I play some type of way that you like seeing and you want to see me out there. “Even the people that were mad at me, they were mad at me because they wanted to see me hoop,” Rose said. Through it all, Rose gained a unique perspective on his haters and stayed true to himself. Rose spent a lot of time watching games from the bench in Chicago after two knee injuries. He received criticism for not returning that season and then played in only 10 games the following season after suffering a meniscus injury in his right knee. He tore his left ACL during the 2012 playoffs, then missed the entire 2012-13 season following surgery. His name was respectfully mentioned in rap songs by Jay-Z, Drake, Meek Mill, Kanye “Ye” West, Lil Uzi Vert, Fabolous, Rick Ross, Lupe Fiasco, French Montana, Young Thug, Vic Mensa, Talib Kweli, BJ The Chicago Kid, Joe Budden, and others.īut Rose’s career quickly wilted. Rose’s game was recognized in the hip-hop world, as well. And he earned the 2011 MVP award at just 23 years old. He averaged at least 20 points, six assists and three rebounds in each those seasons. 1 pick in the 2008 NBA draft, Rose was the 2009 Rookie of the Year and an All-Star in his second, third and fourth seasons. Not too long ago, Rose was on top of the NBA world. So, while I’m there, I am taking the role of being a leader to these young guys, being an example and maintaining my happiness.” “I know the hard work I put into everything. “I am just rolling with the punches,” said Rose. There have been injuries, leaves of absence and changes of jerseys - from Chicago to New York to Cleveland to Minneapolis.īut after his first healthy offseason in four years, Rose said he is finally in a “great space” mentally, physically and basketballwise.
The former league MVP and three-time All-Star has had many lows in his career after his rapid rise to stardom. “ I am good, man,” Derrick Rose said after he reached down to knock on the hardwood floor for good luck after a Minnesota Timberwolves practice. Editor’s note: This story originally ran on Oct.