An Apology to Derrick Rose

When the Bulls were fortunate enough to win the NBA Draft Lottery that eventually landed them Derrick Rose, I'll admit it, I wanted Michael Beasley. Boy was I wrong, and I'm glad that I was. I figured the Bulls could get by with Kirk Hinrich running the offense and point guard wasn't the most pressing need for the Bulls at that time, they needed an inside presence and I thought that Beasley made more sense. It was by no means a knock on Rose, I figured he'd be a great talent but I thought that Beasley could be as good and would suffice a need. Fast forward to today and Derrick Rose has blown me away in the best way possible, already earning a spot on the Eastern Conference all-star team.

I figured he was set up to fail in Chicago, he was coming home and had the heavy burden of putting a franchise once led by the greatest player to ever play the game on his shoulders and leading them back to the playoffs. What Rose has done in a short amount of time is nothing short of remarkable, he's becoming a leader, a superstar, and what is seemingly a legitimate role model for young fans. Sure he had those issues last summer about the ACT and the pictures of him at Memphis, but guess what, he's still only 21, he's my age, and let me tell you, we make mistakes. He's handled those mistakes well as well as handling the responsibilities that come with being the point guard of an NBA team and the new face of a franchise desperate for a star. Joakim Noah has said that Rose's efforts are the reason the Bulls are winning games right now and that's what a superstar does. He's not there just to put up big points and make flashy moves, he's there to make everyone around him better and Rose is doing that.

DRose is becoming a special player, one that I didn't think the Bulls needed but I'm now glad he's back home where he belongs. So Derrick Rose, I'm sorry that I ever doubted your abilities and what you would bring to the Chicago Bulls and I thank you.