When Derrick Rose went down with his second season-ending knee injury in just three years, I was winded—just like that, it was all over, again.
The Bulls had already managed a heroic 2012-2013 season without their superstar, but they were fueled by the promise that Rose would return 100 percent, however long it would take. In late October, the much-publicized return kicked off what was hyped to be a championship season for the Bulls, and though Rose had a lot of rust to shake off, we had him. We had him.
At noon last Wednesday, Rose held a press conference to address the surgery on his right meniscus, which by all accounts was completely repaired but would take significant time to heal. When a reporter asked him whether the Bulls should still consider him a franchise cornerstone, Rose took ten agonizing seconds before meeting the eyes of the press, stone-faced:
“You can be a fool if you want to,” Rose said. “I’m not done.”
My heart jumped like it did when I watched him go down just weeks ago. This time, however, with his words still lingering in my ears, I smiled.
Bon-a-fide franchise players are such a rare article in this league and their impact can be unquantifiable—they can define your franchise, the culture surrounding it and the landscape of the NBA itself. Therefore, when you land one, you make sure to make him your foundation.
No teams with active players have had as much success in this regard as the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers. Their identities are inextricably linked to their respective superstars: the humble Mr. Fundamental, Tim Duncan, and the uncompromising, cold-blooded heir Jordan, Kobe Bryant
Many criticized the two-year, $48.5 million contract extension Bryant signed a couple weeks ago. The deal, which effectively quells any hopes of the Lakers being able to afford the secondary or even tertiary go-to guy they so desperately need, was struck without Bryant even suiting up this season, still recovering from a torn Achilles tendon.
While popular opinion is that he should have gone the Tim Duncan route and taken less money to benefit his team’s championship aspirations, the fact remains that Bryant is a different kind of beast, and hey may never change.
Like it or not, NBA franchises need to make statements like the Lakers did with Bryant, especially in uncertain times. Sure, he’s earning twice more than the oldest player to post a 20-20 game—which Duncan, 37, did in emphatic fashion with a game-winning, mid-range two against the Atlanta Hawks last Monday—but Bryant is still an impact player with the fervor of a man half Duncan’s age. Anyone would be a fool not to invest wholesale just to see how far Bryant can go.
I believe in Derrick Rose. I believe in his talent, his drive to keep improving and come back stronger, his commitment to the game and to Bulls fans like me. Only a rare kind of player can inspire trust like that.
With all the championships LeBron James hopes to stack in his trophy case, he will never know the trust that defines a franchise player (and I cannot help but wonder how hollow the two recent championships must feel for dedicated Miami Heat fans. Maybe it helps that there aren’t any).
The Lakers have Kobe Bryant. The Spurs have Tim Duncan. As for the Bulls and the rest of the NBA, Rose made a statement Wednesday night.
“I could tear or hurt myself 10 more times. I’m never going to stop.”
We have Derrick Rose.
amaenchen@mavs.coloradomesa.edu
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