The news of Derrick Rose 's retirement led many people to shed tears of sadness. However, nobody felt sadder than his former teammate Taj Gibson , who spoke at the podium during the Charlotte Hornets' media day and unabashedly told reporters about his reaction when he learned of D-Rose's decision to hang up his jersey.
Gibson, who had played with Rose on the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, and Minnesota Timberwolves, did not hold back his sentiments. He shared how "heartbroken" he was to learn of his dear friend's retirement.
The past few days have been a blur for Taj
Gibson, a hard-nosed 6'9" forward who will be playing in his 16th season in the league, looked visibly shaken when asked about the recent events involving the former league MVP. The 39-year-old veteran shared that he has mostly kept to himself over the last few days as he's still trying to process Rose's retirement.
"Heartbroken, still heartbroken. I haven't really talked to many people. I haven't even gotten a chance to post yet. The last few days have been a blur. Just staring at the wall, honestly. Staring at the ceiling sometimes. Just trying to gather everything up because I know him from a mental standpoint; he's one of the toughest guys in the league," Gibson said .
When the one-time MVP was at his best, he was a nightmare for defenders to check. With his blazing speed and acrobatic finishes at the rim, he was a highlight reel waiting to happen. However, injuries took their toll on his once-promising career, starting with the ACL tear he suffered in the 2012 NBA Playoffs.
After that, the former Memphis Tiger showed incredible resolve and grit. The 6'3" guard returned to play and later embraced a role off the bench, which required a lot of mental toughness, especially for someone who was once a superstar.
"So for him to really call it quits … I cried a lot," Taj added.
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A bond that goes beyond basketball
While basketball was the glue that initially held Taj and D-Rose together, they eventually forged a friendship that went beyond the court. They visited one another's houses, hung out, and basically chatted like any other friends.
"I just go back to all the years and all the games and remembering us being young. Going over to each other's house and still thinking about life and trying to put it together. Where he is at now, how graceful he is able to step away, yeah, man, it hurts. It still does," Taj disclosed.
Gibson's emotional reaction to Rose's retirement shows the impact the latter had, not only on fans but also on his teammates. As much as basketball was a common interest, their shared experiences and support for one another solidified their bond.
Related: "Your journey was never just about the highlights" – Scottie Pippen gives Derrick Rose his flowers on his retirement
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