Former MVP Derrick Rose has a message for the Bulls
Rose says goodbye to an era with his former team and hello to New York
By
Matt Moore
•
1 min read
The Derrick Rose era in Chicago ended with a lot of negative feelings. The team held out for years in moving Rose despite his downturn in production, because Rose meant so much to the city and the team. But in the end, they sent Rose to New York on Wednesday for Robin Lopez, Jerian Grant and Jose Calderon.
On Friday, Rose was introduced in New York and issued the following shots across the Bulls' bow:
"No, I don't know why I was traded," Rose said. "But I'd like to tell them 'Thank you.'"
So Rose isn't exactly sad about his new team, apparently. In a letter he issued to "The Cycle," Rose said that while Chicago "made me who I am," Rose was ready for the challenge and different environment that New York brings.
Chicago made me who I am. It's tatted on my wrist. I was raised in my grandmother's house on South Paulina Street in Englewood. Being drafted by the Bulls, becoming an All-Star and an MVP on the Bulls, helping the them make the playoffs -- all of that was a dream come true. I'll never forget it. I've carried Chicago with me everywhere I've gone, from around the country to all over the world. I always will.
I understand that this is a business and the Bulls have their plans, their own ideas with what direction they want to go with the team, but I'm gonna use this as motivation. I was with them for eight years and they let me go. There's no hard feelings, no grudges. They're trying to do what's best for the team. I totally understand that. But I don't think I would be wrong for using this as motivation.
Source: I'm Ready for New York -- The Cycle.
Not many people will expect much from Rose. He has looked like a shell of himself and struggled to stay on the floor since his first traumatic knee injury in 2012. Rose is betting on himself to carry through back to his MVP form, just in time for his free agency next summer.
Rose had his best years with the Bulls. But now, clearly, he's looking to show them they were wrong for giving up on him, no matter how understandable that may be to someone on the outside.
