Former NBA MVP Derrick Rose stunned the basketball world when he announced his retirement from the game after a 15-year NBA career highlighted by an MVP win in 2011. While Rose had his moments, especially with the Chicago Bulls, which he elevated to contender status not long after the team selected him first overall in the 2008 NBA Draft, renowned sports commentator Stephen A. Smith believes that Rose could have been even greater had it not been for a string of unfortunate injuries.
In an interview on ESPN's First Take, Smith reflected on the potential greatness of D-Rose, claiming the explosive 6-foot-3 ace had the tools to become the greatest guard the league had ever seen.
The Bulls were in good hands
Following the disbandment of the Bulls dynasty after their 1998 championship win, Chicago had been looking for its next superstar. Enter Rose, the talented point guard who was born and raised in Chi-Town and honed his hoop skills at Simeon High. After a sensational stint with the Memphis Tigers, the Bulls had seemingly landed the player who would lead them back to the promised land.
For a minute, "Pooh" lived up to expectations, winning Rookie of the Year honors in 2009, earning an All-Star berth in 2010, and becoming the youngest player ever to win MVP in 2011.
"Derrick Rose—had he not gotten injured—would have been one of the greatest guards we have ever seen in the history of basketball. This dude... him and Westbrook are the two most athletic point guards in NBA history," Stephen A. quipped .
Smith furthered that even the "GOAT" himself, Michael Jordan, felt the Bulls would have won more championships if Rose had stayed healthy.
"The man had Michael Jordan standing up and speaking to the crowd in Chicago, saying, 'Y'all are in good hands.' We all marveled at the greatness of Derrick Rose," the loquacious media personality asserted.
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Fate had other ideas
Unfortunately for D-Rose and the Bulls, fate had other plans. In Game 1 of their first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers in 2012, the All-Star guard landed awkwardly on a drive to the basket and fell to the floor, clutching his knee. He was soon diagnosed with a torn ACL, effectively ending his season and the Bulls' championship hopes.
This would be just the beginning of a string of devastating injuries for Rose over the next several years that hindered his ability to stay on the court and play at his previous MVP level. Although he showed glimpses of his former self, especially during his stints in Detroit and Minnesota, he could never fully regain his dominance and consistency.
"He is the one guy you truly look at and say, 'The injury to his knees derailed his career.' He was that spectacular," Smith expressed.
As Derrick transitions to life after pro basketball, people will always imagine what could have been. Would he have led the Bulls to a championship? Could he have won multiple MVP awards? These questions will linger, but one thing is for sure: D-Rose's impact and legacy will never be forgotten.
Related: J-Crawford on the moment he knew D-Rose would be trouble for NBA defenders: "Stole it and touched his toes and ducked his head from the rim"
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