Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose blasts front office, local media
By Ryan Heckman
He spent the first seven years of his career with the Chicago Bulls, and now Derrick Rose has opened up a bit on his time there.
Derrick Rose will always hold a special place in the hearts of Chicago Bulls fans. After seven seasons featuring some incredible highs and saddening lows, Rose ultimately found himself out of a Bulls uniform. Now, though, he has completely resurrected his career with an old friend.
Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau has heard all the jokes about getting the band back together, but bringing in Rose was more than just a feel-good opportunity. There was belief in the player. Thibs knew Rose still had something left — a lot left, in fact.
As it turns out, Rose is averaging some career bests in 2018-2019. With the Wolves this year, Rose has been their most valuable sixth man — and he’s fine with that. Rose is putting up career highs when it comes to scoring efficiency, shooting 49.8 percent from the field and a red-hot 48.6 percent from three-point range.
Recently, the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Chris Hine caught up with Rose and tweeted out some pretty telling thoughts from the 30-year-old point guard. The most intriguing quote? Check it out:
Say what you will about the whole Jimmy Butler saga. It was obvious that Butler was a cancer in Minnesota, based on how the team is playing since his exit. Was Butler the problem in Chicago, too? Who knows.
What most fans will tell you, though, is that the main problem boils down to the front office. They have a hard time with commitment. Gar Forman and John Paxson have this odd set of beliefs that they think will get the job done in the end, but those two never seem to have it all together.
Not many people know what went on behind the scenes after Rose’s initial knee injury, or how that affected the front office’s plans for the future. But, as Rose’s health continued to be cause for concern, one might be able to guess that there was quite a bit of pressure, and quite a bit said behind the scenes regarding Rose’s future with the team.
The one thing I can say (as I’m sure all Bulls fans will also) is that I am thrilled for Rose. It was definitely time for him to leave Chicago when he did. It was a sad, dark, depressing day. It was an end of an era that felt as though it was gone too soon.
But, Rose looks totally rejuvenated now. That’s the good news. Whatever he dealt with in Chicago is over now, and the fact that he is happy is what really matters. The odds had been stacked against him for quite some time. Everyone knows he’s worked his tail off to get to this point.
The man deserves everything he has accomplished this year. He’s earned it. The past is in the past. He’s a wolf now, and one of the most exciting players in the league once more.