With his freshly signed 5 year $94.8 million extension behind him, Derrick Rose can now begin to focus on his ultimate goal...An NBA championship.
It’s becoming virtually impossible to doubt anything that Derrick Rose says. After his hometown Bulls were given the gift of all fixed gifts by David Stern, they quickly snatched up the Chicago kid and made him the #1 overall pick in the ’08 draft. Shortly after his return home, Rose said he wanted to make his mother and his city proud. Rose far surpassed everyone’s expectations, both on and off the court in his rookie year. I can’t speak for his mother Brenda, but Chicago was already proud of him when he tied Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s record of 36 points in his playoff debut vs the Celtics in ’09. The next season, he said wanted to be an all-star. Done. Then there was media day before last season.
Perhaps it was the sting of being overlooked in free agency by Dwyane Wade, LeBron James & Chris Bosh, but a defiant Rose asked, “why can’t I be the MVP of the league?” It was a stunning statement because we had grown accustomed to Rose’s humble and quiet demeanor. There had to be a part of Rose that was pissed off that the “Heatles” played him and the Bulls in the madness that was July 2010. Or, Rose simply knew how hard he worked all summer and was determined to show the world just how great he was. Mission accomplished. Rose willed his oft-injured teammates to 62 wins & a conference finals berth, despite needing every ounce of his ungodly talent to get there. The youngest MVP in NBA history (25.4 ppg, 7.7 apg & 4.1 rpg) alpha dog’d his way to the league’s most prestigious individual honor. And in the process, he proved again that you better not doubt him when he speaks his mind.
As a Bulls fan, his drive and determination excite me almost as much as a week long vacation in the Bahamas with Rihanna would. Rose has already given Chicago someone to brag about, but he wants more. His tough upbringing in Englewood to global superstar is an MOW waiting to happen. But now that his $94.8 million extension is signed, his focus can now shift to his one remaining goal.
“I think I can finally say this now: Mom, we finally made it.” Sorry Derrick, but you made it a long time ago. Now comes legacy cementing time. Rose has spoken both publicly and in practices about winning an NBA championship. It’s the final box that he needs to check before he’ll be a certified NBA legend. And if we’ve learned anything, it’s to not doubt Chicago’s #1.
Can it happen this year? Possibly, but those damn Miami Heat are an even more imposing threat than last year. But know this, Rose won’t stop until he lifts that Larry O’Brien trophy above his head. Much like Michael Jordan, Rose is a cerebral assassin who doesn’t waver when it comes to achieving his goals.
That’s what makes people gravitate towards him. His is becoming the most popular NBA star in China because of his humility & realness. The problem with LeBron, Carmelo & Dwight is their desire for off the court celebrity. There is no ingenuity to them. Basketball is almost second in their desire to become “global icons” and all of that silliness. People related to MJ because they could see how determined he was. Fans aren’t stupid. We can see through fakes from an L ride away.
Rose is authentic. There is no bullshit to his story. When he says the new paper won’t change him, you can believe it. He isn’t trying to sell an image like Kobe was after the Colorado incident. And even though he has become the global icon that LeBron lushes after, he’ll never forget his roots. That’s why Chicago loves him. He is one of us, and always will be. So when he wins the championship he’s constantly talking about, it will prove to the doubters that when D Rose morphs into Nostradamus mode, you better listen.
@Louie_Ruffolo8
