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Derrick Rose is one of the biggest “what ifs” in basketball history. We often wonder what he could’ve been had there not been some devastating injuries.
His pedigree was incredible. He was a five-star player in one of the great crops of high school talent ever in 2007. And, he went on to star at Memphis where he was just seconds away from a national championship.
His NBA career started off great, too. He was selected first overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by his hometown Chicago Bulls and became an instant star. In just his third year in the league, Derrick Rose won an MVP and the Bulls to the top seed in the Eastern Conference in the 2011 playoffs. After a conference finals appearance that year, he suffered a devastating knee injury in the first round of the 2012 playoffs.
For a player who relied so much on his explosiveness and athleticism, he was never quite the same player again. But, he’s still been a good player in the league since his injury. And, at 34 and in year 15 he is still producing a little bit for the Knicks.
James Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame voters will have a tough choice to make when it comes time to decide whether he goes in the Hall of Fame. But, Rose has his opinion.
Derrick Rose spoke out about his Hall of Fame chances
It’s going to be close whether he gets in or not. His career averages of 17/5/3 are probably not good enough on the surface. But, that doesn’t mean that he won’t get in. Special circumstances apply here.
After a Knicks win on Friday, Rose was asked about his chances.
Derrick Rose with a deep take on the possibility of making the Hall of Fame. He said he'd love it, but added, "Can someone in here name a famous gladiator? I’m saying it in a way that like in 200-300 years, nobody is going to care about what went on."
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) December 17, 2022
He makes an interesting point. In a few hundred years, no one will really care. And, if that is his actual opinion, at least he has good perspective. But, my guess is deep down, he does care about getting in.
New York has won six games in a row and is comfortably in the playoff picture early on in the season at 16-13.