Chicago loves Derrick Rose, but the reigning NBA MVP feels trapped in his hometown because he can't walk the streets.
The day after Derrick Rose hit a season opening game winning runner vs the Lakers on Christmas Day, I wrote about how the youngest MVP in league history had everything he wanted http://chicitysportsfan.com/wp/2011/12/rose-has-what-he-wants/ on his team. He was the unquestioned lead dog on his hometown team that went 10 years without a definitive franchise player. He has teammates that are as unselfish and as much about winning as he is. He plays for a coach that he adores, yet pushed him to get the maximum out of his ungodly talent. His front office is experienced, determined to add another banner in the United Center rafters & has built a championship caliber team around him.
Basically, Rose has a better & smarter version of what LeBron had in Cleveland, what Dwight Howard aimlessly is saying he wants in Orlando, a bigger marquee to what Kevin Durant has in OKC & everything that Kobe yearned for when he was winning titles he didn’t appreciate with Shaq in L.A.
And on top of all of that, Rose is the king of his hometown, and someone that is worthy of all of the accolades and admiration that is thrown his way. But in reading Rose’s GQ interview this week, you get the sense that part of him is completely miserable. If you haven’t read it, make it happen. It’s worth stepping foot into a glimpse of Rose’s world.
Rose talks about never being alone and how he can’t just go out. He also gives you a glimpse of his low maintenance personality by reveling in a rare day off that was filled with nothing but laying around his plush condo in Trump Tower downtown. That might seem like a bore fest to you and me, but it’s heaven for Adidas’ $260 million man.
Rose seems burdened by the fact that he is the biggest star in the nation’s 3rd largest market. His personality doesn’t fit his celebrity like he says, but he can’t possibly complain about the pressure’s he facing.
When he first came into the league, he talked about wanting to star in commercials and be a worldwide superstar. I remember thinking that didn’t seem to fit his personality, but he had dreams of becoming the global star he has. And when you watch the fearlessness that he plays with, it’s impossible not to appreciate that. The public isn’t stupid, and they won’t buy into a fake. Rose is as genuine as he is cold blooded on the court. Fans love that, and it’s part of the reason he’s one of the most popular athletes on the planet.
But I’m sorry, Derrick, I can’t feel bad for you owning Chi-city even though “sometimes it’s too much” to handle. You wanted this stardom, and here it is. There is a price to fame, and not being able to walk the streets of a city that loves you is a part of it. Hell, Michael Jordan used to have malls shut down so he could take his family shopping.
I get that you hate the spotlight that LeBron lives for, but you can’t have it both ways. Being left alone isn’t a part of this particular job description. There are millions of people who would switch lives with you in a heartbeat. And I understand that being injured for most of this compressed NBA season has taken away the chance (26 games missed to date) to get away from all of the insanity that the media puts on you. But you craved, desired & busted your ass for the celebrity that doesn’t fit your personality. You should be commended for that, but to complain about the downside of stardom is noise that should only fall on deaf ears.
@Louie_Ruffolo8
