Obviously, there are some wistful What Ifs when it comes to Derrick Rose. I remember coming home from a night out with friends in 2012 and checking the results of Game 1 of the first round series between the Bulls and 76ers, and seeing the terrible news. Absolutely devastating. Then the injury after sitting out the entire 2013 season. He still had a couple of respectable years after that, but that was a terrible one-two punch that was the beginning of the downfall.
Still, there were some great times before that. He was part of that incredible first round series with the Celtics in 2009. The ascension to All-Star, the great run in 2011 that had me believing they might even make it to the Finals, especially after taking Game 1 from the Heat. The crossovers, the acrobatic layups, the dunks...he was so fun to watch. The mid 2000s had their enjoyable underdog moments, but Rose's peak - brief as it may have been - was the most fun time to be a Bulls fan since the Jordan era.
It's felt like the writing has been on the wall these past few years. I would've liked to have seen a farewell run with the Bulls. Hey, it's not like they're doing much else, or seem to have a solid plan! In any case, hats off to him for a fine career. Sure, there are those What Ifs and his prime wasn't as long as I'd have liked, but he became a star and it was fun while it lasted. Thank you, D-Rose!