CHICAGO — “MVP” chants bounced off the walls of a sold-out United Center, but it wasn’t for any of the current Chicago Bulls or visiting New York Knicks players. Fans were on their feet as Bulls legend and Chicago native Derrick Rose emerged from the home tunnel during halftime of the Bulls’ 139-126 victory over the Knicks on Saturday night.
Rose has come out of that tunnel 447 times in a Bulls jersey, but on Saturday he donned a black and red pinstriped suit as he took the court for Derrick Rose Night. Rose officially announced his retirement before the start of the season, and the Bulls wasted no time honoring the city’s favorite son, who was Chicago’s No. 1 overall pick in 2008 and played seven seasons with the ‘team.
Several of Rose’s former teammates were on hand for the evening’s festivities, including Joakim Noah and Luol Deng, as well as his college coach John Calipari. Noah delivered an impassioned halftime speech in Rose’s honor, bringing the Chicago native to tears as Noah led what was one of many “MVP” chants of the night.
“You’re not just the MVP, you’re the people’s champion,” Noah said of Rose, who became the year’s youngest MVP. NBA story at the age of 22.
Earlier today, the Bulls announced that the team would retire Rose’s No. 1 jersey next season, something he said he has not yet addressed, but will certainly do at a later date.
“(Tonight) is for me to give to everyone who is in this room, to everyone who has been part of the story, the journey, the good, the bad, the ugly. It’s a celebration of everyone,” Rose said.
As the Bulls gave Rose his flowers — both literally and metaphorically — for what he meant to the franchise, he in turn thanked the city. In the days leading up to Rose’s celebration, the Chicago native could be seen around town hosting a pop-up flower shop, playing at his alma mater Simeon Career Academy alongside his son in a pickup game and opening a community garden in his childhood neighborhood. of Englewood.
“I understand, coming from Chicago, that it’s tough love, you know, I mean, it’s a lot of tough love,” Rose said. “I was just telling my friends that sometimes you can forget about love and just express toughness. Coming back, being born from that tough love, I just wanted to show my love. There’s toughness too, but you don’t Don’t do it.” It doesn’t have to be hard all the time.”
Hosting “Derrick Rose Night” when the Knicks were in town was planned precisely so that the man who coached Rose more than any other person during his career – current Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau – could be here. It also worked because Rose played four seasons over two different stints with the Knicks. So naturally, the Bulls and Knicks players wore special shooting jerseys that read “1.4.25” across the chest to signify Rose’s three jersey numbers from the Bulls, Knicks and Simeon. It also happens to be the exact date the Bulls would honor Rose, which is now officially considered Derrick Rose Day in Chicago.
Here’s a look at Saturday night’s full halftime ceremony.
“He’s probably the most loved player in the league by everyone,” Thibodeau said. “We are delighted that he is being honored. I always say the true measure of a man is how he handles adversity. And no one has done it better. He never stayed down. He always found a way to elevate himself and I’m glad to do it him, for the career he’s had I think he’s a Hall of Famer. There’s no doubt in my mind that. he is a Hall of Fame player.
During the halftime celebration, Rose spoke to fans for nearly three minutes. He reflected on the expectations that have followed him since he was in sixth grade and discussed the many ups and downs of his career before once again honoring his hometown.
“Thank you, Chicago,” he said. “For forcing me to be great.”
