Derrick Rose: When greatness made others question their health

Prime Derrick Rose was such a force on the basketball court that some players reportedly faked injuries or illnesses to avoid facing him. Former NBA guards John Lucas III and Raymond Felton have admitted that players would rather sit out games than try to contain the explosive point guard.

Lucas III, Rose’s teammate with the Chicago Bulls, first shared this revelation in 2021, while Felton added his perspective this year. “It was crazy how many people were getting sick when it was time to play Chicago,” Felton said, underscoring just how feared Rose was by his peers.

The Bulls drafted Rose with the first overall pick in 2008, and from the moment he stepped on the court, it was clear he was special. In his rookie season, he averaged 16.8 points, 6.3 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game, leading the Bulls to a playoff appearance. Rose then put up 36 points and 11 assists in his first-ever playoff game, setting the tone for a remarkable career.

Historic Rise and MVP Dominance

Rose didn’t just rise through the ranks—he skyrocketed. In only his second season, Rose became the first Bulls player since Michael Jordan to make the All-Star team. By the 2010-11 season, Rose had taken his game to another level, averaging 25.0 points, 7.7 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game. This made him the youngest player in NBA history to win the MVP award at 22.

Rose’s MVP season saw the Bulls finish with the best record in the NBA. He led them to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they ultimately fell to LeBron James and the Miami Heat. Still, Rose’s dominance that season was so extraordinary that it inspired the NBA to introduce the “Derrick Rose Rule,” which allows young stars to qualify for a higher maximum salary earlier in their careers.

Injury and Decline

Unfortunately, Rose’s incredible rise stopped when he tore his left ACL during Game 1 of the 2012 playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers. That injury sidelined him for the entire 2012-13 season, and though Rose returned to the court, he could never fully regain his MVP form.

Rose has stayed relevant in the league, having played for teams such as the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, and the Memphis Grizzlies. His career averages of 17.4 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.2 rebounds testify to his talent, even as injuries have slowed him down.

Even today, stories like those of Lucas III and Felton remind us of how feared Derrick Rose was in his prime. As Felton put it, “Players knew what was coming. He was a force you didn’t want to face.”

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