Derrick Rose has caused a stir with a remarkable statement about his legacy. The former NBA MVP believes that many fans will soon forget him.
Derrick Rose made NBA history during his career and is still considered an icon, especially in Chicago. Nevertheless, the former MVP takes a surprisingly sober view of his own legacy. The 37-year-old does not believe that future generations of basketball fans will necessarily remember him and his career.
In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Rose pointed to some of the greatest players in NBA history. After all, many young fans today hardly know who Wilt Chamberlain or Bill Russell were. “So who am I to think they’ll remember me? Most probably won’t,” Rose explained. What matters more to him, he said, is what people take away when they eventually take the time to learn about his story.
Derrick Rose made history as the youngest NBA MVP
Rose has certainly secured a place in the history books. In 2011, the then-Bulls star was named the youngest MVP in NBA history at just 22 years old. During his MVP season, the point guard averaged 25.0 points, 7.7 assists, and 4.1 rebounds, leading Chicago to a 62-20 record and the Eastern Conference Finals.
However, his meteoric rise was subsequently derailed by serious injuries. In particular, his ACL tear in the 2012 playoffs changed the course of his career. Rose fought his way back multiple times and later played for the New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, and Cleveland Cavaliers, among others. In total, he played in 723 NBA games, averaging 17.4 points and 5.2 assists.