The Bulls need to retire No. 1 for Derrick Rose if for no other reason than it already kind of (unofficially) is.
That’s a light-hearted way to try to tackle a serious honor.
In October 2016, the Bulls traded for Michael Carter-Williams, who promptly declared he wanted to return to wearing the No. 1 he sported when he starred at Syracuse and won Rookie of the Year with the Philadelphia 76ers.
One small problem: A vocal segment of fans took to social media to express their displeasure over the number changing hands so quickly. The Bulls had ended the Rose era by trading him to the Knicks just four months prior.
So Carter-Williams switched to No. 7.
Almost unbelievably, just four months later, the Bulls allowed Anthony Morrow initially to select No. 1 upon his arrival in a trade from the Thunder. Again, fan backlash ensued, and Morrow took to social media to apologize before donning No. 11.
Officially retiring a jersey number is no small decision. The Bulls have done so just four times in franchise history. Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Jerry Sloan and Bob Love each have a banner honoring their numbers hanging in the United Center rafters. No player ever will wear Nos. 23, 33, 4 and 10 again.
NBA
When Rose retires, the Bulls should follow suit by raising No. 1 to the rafters.
Don’t get sidetracked by the argument that others are more deserving. Norm Van Lier, Chet Walker, Artis Gilmore and Horace Grant all have their own cases. But this is about Rose.
Let’s start with the basketball credentials. Rose, the No. 1 overall pick, won Rookie of the Year in 2009. He became the Bulls’ first All-Star since Michael Jordan in 2010. And he became the youngest most valuable player in NBA history in 2011.
In his first four seasons, he averaged 20.1 points and 6.8 assists while leading the Bulls to the league’s best regular-season record twice.
Beyond the numbers, there is the nuance.
Rose embraced representing his hometown team. His humble, quiet nature endeared himself to fans. While other players danced and preened during All-Star game introductions, Rose stood stoically.
Through his shoe deal and promotional tours, Rose achieved worldwide popularity, particularly in China. This helped rekindle the Bulls as a vibrant, global brand.
Then, there’s his style of play. For four seasons, Rose shot like a meteor across the sky. He dunked and drove, contorting his body in seemingly impossible ways. His speed and strength combined to produce a breathtaking blur of highlights.
Then he tore his left ACL on April 28, 2012. And the next four years, which also featured a right meniscus tear and another season-ending surgery, produced starts and stops to an otherwise transcendent start to his career.
A retired jersey typically honors accomplishments strictly for that franchise. Rose accomplished enough as a Bull to warrant the honor.
But there’s also something very Chicago-like about what he has accomplished after his hometown franchise traded him. He persevered. He overcame obstacles. And he has become a consistent, viable threat again.
You can’t take the Bulls out of Chicago, and you can’t take Chicago out of Rose. So, yes, raising No. 1 to the United Center rafters also could acknowledge in small part what Rose accomplished after leaving the Bulls.
After all, it’s not often you hear a visiting player serenaded with chants of “MVP! MVP!” as Rose is when he returned in recent seasons.
When the Bulls traded Rose, it stung him deeply. He has since reconciled those feelings and has only love for his hometown team.
What better way to immortalize what Rose meant for the Bulls, on and off the court, by retiring No. 1.
NBC Sports Chicago will honor the Bulls great with “Derrick Rose Week presented by Saint Xavier University” starting up Monday, June 8 at 7:00 PM CT with the first of five-straight nights of “Classic” game performances. See full schedule here.
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