Derrick Rose signed a four year contract with the Chicago Bulls in 2008 after studying at the University of Memphis for one year. He then re-signed with the Bulls in 2012. Since then, Rose has had numerous injuries, but still has lead the Bulls to three postseasons. Derrick Rose won Rookie of the Year in 2008-2009 and won Most Valuable Player in 2010-2011.
After Derrick Rose’s many injuries, it seems that talk of him leaving his home team, the Chicago Bulls, has finally started. Last night, I was lucky enough to go to the United Center, the Bulls stadium, with my father. As I arrived, I knew this could be the last time that I saw Derrick Rose in Chicago colors. While the Chicago Bulls have prospered with Rose on their team and Rose has allowed the Bulls to come within arm’s reach of getting another championship ring, it is time for the Bulls to move on from their once favorite basketball player. Rose was instrumental to the Bulls’ success for many years, but because of his recent injury ridden history, his true value has been diminished. As ESPN writer Scoop Jackson puts it, “Rose has had 14 injuries since he won the NBA MVP in 2011 (five injuries, one surgery and 29 games missed alone last season, which was supposed to be his "comeback") and he missed 237 of a possible 350 games over that same period” (Jackson). As of now the Chicago Bulls are not really happy with Rose’s injury plagued career. However, Rose isn’t too happy either with his salary and wants more even though he isn’t playing at his peak and is not looking like the superstar he once was. “Making sure my family is financially stable, as far as seeing all the money that they're passing out in this league” (Rose). Rose currently has a $20+ million annual salary not including his deal with Adidas that guarantees him 50 million for 20 years. With that being one of the highest salaries in the NBA, Rose’s recent scoring doesn’t align with high salary. As Bleacher Report writer Tyler Conway stated, “Rose, however, is anything but an average superstar.” While Derrick Rose’s career is far from over, his partnership with the Bulls will surely come to an end shortly due to his poor performance and request for obscene amounts of money..
While this might be the last time I will see Derrick Rose as a Chicago Bull, the energy at the United Center has not changed at all. Jimmy Butler has become the center of attention and the thousands of Bulls fans are still excited to see the Chicago Bulls. This year will be the highest paid year for Derrick Rose, but it definitely isn’t his best year in his ability to score. So far, he has averaged only 13 points a game, not nearly as many as the NBA players who have a comparable salary. Derrick Rose may be leaving the Chicago Bulls, but hopefully his career is far from over and he can come back from these injuries. Derrick Rose is only 27 years old, so he could still have many years left in his career. If all goes well, Derrick Rose will play to his full potential when he signs with another team.
