Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose, the former NBA MVP of the 2011 season, has fallen from the upper echelon of the NBA from a mixture of bad luck and decisions regarding his injuries.
Because Rose is only a shell of his elite self he’s been a lightening rod for criticism, especially with fans and basketball pundits. In a Q&A with ESPN.com’s Nick Friedell, he gave an interesting answer when asked if he thinks that one day he can ascend to his MVP-era playing days. According to Rose, his son has become the prime source for his motivation.
From ESPN:
Friedell: You told me a long time ago you never wanted to play anywhere else. Is that still true?
Rose: That’s still true. Still true. Just having my son [P.J.], I’m doing all this because of my son now, you know? Just wanting to be around him every day, having him come up here, shoot with me or see me shooting til he’s able to become a ball boy. Little things like that I think about long term. Just trying to get him groomed, trying to get him used to being in the environment.
Friedell: You want to retire here still.
Rose: For sure, for sure.
Perhaps for some, his non-politically correct answer may rub them the wrong way, seeing it took for his son to be born to become “motivated.” For Rose, any false step or statement could further dig him in the hole of public opinion. The best case scenario for him is to continue to improve and prove the doubters wrong. If not, critique may continue to follow.
