Open Letter to Derrick Rose
Dear D-Rose,
Where do I start? I mean listen… I hate that I am ever writing this letter because it just does not feel right. You’re 29 years old and I am hearing that you might be done with the game, I mean, is this correct? I have a hard time accepting this but then again I am not you. I do not know what it is like to tear my knee up, and I didn’t have to come back from numerous surgeries and grueling rehabs but you do. I do not know what that does to someone mentally but you definitely do and I hate that for you because your career was headed in the right direction. I say your career was headed in the right direction because I believed that you were going to put a banner up in Chicago and play there your entire career. I believed your career would be something out of a book, you know… hometown kid comes back home to play pro ball, but things did not work out that way.
Derrick Rose enrolled at Chicago’s Simeon Academy and quickly catapulted to one of the country’s best high school players. (Photo Sports Illustrated)
When you tore your knee during that playoff series against Philly I never thought it would be the end of the “old” D-Rose. I never expected you to miss an entire season and have setback after setback with your recovery and other various knee injuries but that is what has happened. I mean is this the main reason why you are feeling like you want to give it all up? Is there something else that us fans can do? I know some of your critiques are harsh as hell and they throw your name around and act like you weren’t the youngest MVP that this league has ever seen but that is no reason for you to call it quits.
He was highly recruited by NCAA scouts and coaches, eventually choosing to join the University of Memphis under Coach John Calipari. (Photo Zimbio.com)
I know it is tough bro but I think you still have more to offer the game, I mean how awesome would it be to come back and get things going again and regain your all star form? Bernard King tore his knee up pretty bad and he ended up becoming an all star again with the Washington Bullets, if he can do it so can you. I may be speaking out of pocket but many of us fans wish you could overcome whatever mental hurdles you have been facing and just go out there and ball out until you cant anymore. Trust me there is more left in that Tank.
On May 3, Rose was named the NBA MVP, joining Michael Jordan as the only players to receive the award in Chicago Bulls history.
If this is really the end for you and you can’t do it anymore I really believe that you have nothing to hold your head down about because you lived a dream that many would die for. I am sure you hear the whispers and see the stupid memes going around but trust me any real fan will understand what you gave the game and will not knock you for your injuries. Your accomplishments speak for themselves, 3x NBA all star, All NBA, Rookie of The year, MVP, 2 FIBA World Cup Gold Medals and you were the #1 pick in the NBA draft. You also survived one of the toughest neighborhoods in America and that in itself should be applauded. You changed your family’s history and your son will not have to grow up the way you did, that in itself is a huge accomplishment. You have nothing to hang your head about, if your body cannot hold up then you have to do what is best for D-Rose but I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate your brilliance, I appreciate what you gave us and I never took you for granted! Much Love.
Signed,
A Real Basketball Fan