Tearing It Down

derrick-roseAfter 8 years of hopes, dreams, and frustrations, the Bulls bid farewell to former MVP Derrick Rose yesterday, trading the former superstar to the Knicks, along with Justin Holiday and a second round pick in 2017, for Robin Lopez, Jose Calderon, and Jerian Grant.  Rose, the overall number one draft pick in the 2008 draft, had trouble staying on the court in the last 4 seasons of his tenure, missing more games than he played.

Rose’s career with the Bulls started off with great promise, leading the team to their best showings since Michael Jordan retired the second time following the 1997-1998 NBA Championship.  They looked to be a team on the rise following the 2010-2011 season, which they finished with the best regular season record in the league and lost a hard-fought Eastern Conference Finals against the Heat.  The following December, Rose signed a 5-year contract extension and the Bulls looked to again challenge for the Eastern Conference title.  Sadly, in the first game of the first round against the Sixers, Rose tore his ACL and the favored Bulls were quickly eliminated.

Rose missed the entire 2012-2013 season, despite being cleared by doctors to play in March.  He finally returned for the start of the 2013-2014 season, but a torn meniscus in late November again put him out for the season.  The next two seasons were marred by inconsistent play, more knee injuries, coaching turnover, and a sexual assault lawsuit.  When the Bulls failed to make the playoffs this past season, changes were bound to be made, with this being the first.