Thursday, January 1st, 2009 at 12:23 pm  |  39 responses

Derrick Rose — I Believe

The best of DRose, 2008.

We’ll start the New Year with a big resolution to feature the hottest hoops mixes as part of SLAMTV. So why not begin with a mix focused on a rookie who has already drastically changed the League in just his first two full months?

Derrick Rose and I have a little bit in common, as we’re both from Chicago and had the chance to watch Michael bring glory to the Windy City and the NBA. It still chokes me up thinking about those 300+ consecutive Bulls games I watched as a child from 1995-98. The similarities between Derrick and me end there, however. Derrick’s begun to bring back the excitement to Chicago, and (more importantly) he’ll bring relevance to a die hard basketball town that’s been neglected in the League’s eyes for 10 seasons, during the Post-Jordan Era.

Last month, Ben asked if I would write something about Derrick for Dome Shot in (our soon to be revealed) Ish 125. Although we haven’t officially announced the issue yet, I thought it wouldn’t hurt if I published this blurb about how much Rose means to Chicago as well as the NBA. I hope you enjoy, and here’s to another happy and healthy New Year! — Ryne Nelson

Greatness retired and left a statue with the city. His symbol. Something that reminded Chicagoans they were witnesses to something greater than sheer luck.

Following his retirement, the statue came to represent hope. Hope that one day the Bulls would become relevant again.

Derrick Rose saw the statue often.

He remembered when half of his third grade class wore red Bulls jerseys on the first day of school in 1997. He remembered the All-Star Games, the Olympics, the Jordan XI, the NBA on NBC and, of course…the Playoffs.

Ten years followed, and no one could set the Bulls on course.

The Bulls needed an All-Star caliber player to bring attention back to the Windy City, and they finally got him via prayer and one lucky ping-pong ball.

Rose is no M.J., but considering the Bulls had only 1.7 percent chance of getting the first pick, you know it was something greater than sheer luck.

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  • Drose1 Posted: Jan.1 at 12:44 pm
    He is the Roy. He’s brought chitown back and we will be a force to reckon with in few years.

  • SLAM ONLINE | Posted: Jan.1 at 12:55 pm
    [...] Best of Derrick Rose 2008 [...]

  • Justin Walsh Posted: Jan.1 at 1:06 pm
    I like the footage in this video. I still don’t think he’s ROY yet. OJ is leading in my eyes. Actually, it’s more of a 1a, 1b.

  • Brad Posted: Jan.1 at 1:08 pm
    As of right now OJ MAYO is the ROY!
    Someone needs to make a vid of him like this.

  • underdog Posted: Jan.1 at 1:14 pm
    That block on Dre is one of my favourites of this season so far.

  • Captain America Posted: Jan.1 at 1:33 pm
    Nice piece. Spent mid-to-late nineties in ChiTown too. I took a few years to raise the talent up around MJ to beat Detroit and advance. With Rose they have the same scenario and same opportunity. Happy 2009!

  • Captain America Posted: Jan.1 at 1:34 pm
    I (should be) it..regrets

  • Moose Posted: Jan.1 at 1:36 pm
    ORANGE JUICE MAYONNAISE! ORANGE JUICE MAYONNAISE! That was for you, Justin.

  • j-smoov 5 Posted: Jan.1 at 2:22 pm
    Nice mix!

  • j-smoov 5 Posted: Jan.1 at 2:24 pm
    Oh ya and OJ does need a mix! He’s SICK.

  • Anton Posted: Jan.1 at 3:14 pm
    he slices that lane like his knife sliced his hand

  • Heals Posted: Jan.1 at 3:59 pm
    He is a League pass must see, but “drastically changed the League,” that is Wilt’s territory. Good track, slick mix, keep em’ coming…

  • slamfan4life Posted: Jan.1 at 6:40 pm
    oj is a straight up shooter, what is his mix suppose to compose of, just jumpshots?? rose is the whole package, anyplayer can take 30 shot attempts a day and walk out with 20ppg but it takes real heart and dedication to do what Rose does on court Rose=ROY and im not doubtin OJ, for all i kno he might be the next kobe

  • Ryne Nelson Posted: Jan.1 at 9:58 pm
    The thing I liked most about this mix was the track. Although I think it’s about the Lakers, the message about *believing* is crucial. Rose has Chicago believing in a better future, and that’s how he’s ‘drastically changed’ things, Heals.

  • Dacre Posted: Jan.1 at 10:10 pm
    I decided that my favourite rookie was going to be DJ Augustine this year…before the ping pong balls landed…. not long after OJ Mayo was taking the “favourite rookie” tag though…but watching how fast this Rose kid is…yeah… he IS good.

  • Brad Posted: Jan.1 at 10:15 pm
    OJ is NOT just a “shooter” ! You obviously do not know his game. OJ sets up is other teammates & slashes through the lane and can throw up a ridiculous floater! not to mention his veteran play….he plays defense like an 8 year vet.

  • slamfan4life Posted: Jan.1 at 10:32 pm
    brad you must be joking, all he does is shoot shoot and shoot. And you seriously can’t believe that Oj sets anyone up besides himself, but 3ast a game really do sum it up for ya. Oj Mayo and the grizz are the most selfish team in the L. There i said it D.rose for ROY

  • Brad Posted: Jan.1 at 11:35 pm
    Ok well the Grizz are another story….but OJ is a playmaker! I’ve seen many times were OJ was leading the brake and make a great pass to set Rudy,Gasol, or Warrick up….you are talking about last years Kevin Durant.

  • airs Posted: Jan.2 at 12:55 am
    no brainer.

  • Tzvi T Posted: Jan.2 at 1:28 am
    I appreciate the way that he uses to the rim to keep shot-blockers at bay.

  • thesubwayconnection Posted: Jan.2 at 1:55 am
    Not to nitpick. . . but “shear” cuts grass. “Sheer” is used for course, or in this case. And yes, to Rose for ROY at this point.

  • Anonymous Posted: Jan.2 at 3:41 am
    D.Rose is my R.O.Y, he such an exciting player to watch.

  • 42 Posted: Jan.2 at 8:02 am
    jos ruusu ei oo roy saatte turpaa vitun pellet!

  • Eboy Posted: Jan.2 at 9:51 am
    Uhm…….probably the reason the Bulls still suck is due to the fact that 99% of these “highlights” were all of him scoring or taking it to the rim against three or four guys. How about passing the ball now and again kid? Stephon Marbury 2009, for real.

  • overtime Posted: Jan.2 at 9:59 am
    He’s changed the league? Which league am i looking at then?

  • B. Long Posted: Jan.2 at 11:03 am
    Eboy is bitter. Come on E, at least Mario is producing like the Heat had hoped.

  • Eboy Posted: Jan.2 at 11:09 am
    Bitter about what? The Heat, with a little used Beasley, are in playoff talks. The Bulls, with the “league changing” Mr. Rose, are about as good as you are at prognasticating. I’ll take my chances that Michael will smell the playoffs well before Mr. Rose does.

  • Ryne Nelson Posted: Jan.2 at 11:12 am
    The Bulls have a good chance at the Playoffs this year. The Raptors and Wizards are out of the picture and Philly is going to need to really turn things around. I’m not sold on the Bucks, either. You’d have to be fairly myopic if you can’t admit Derrick Rose is changing the League.

  • Kid Presto Posted: Jan.2 at 11:44 am
    kid is definetly a sick son of a b*tch. O.J. and rose are the two man race for ROY. rookies will not lose to sophomores at all star weekend.

  • Eboy Posted: Jan.2 at 12:13 pm
    If there’s one point guard changing the league today, he wears a #3 uniform for the Hornets.

  • Darksaber Posted: Jan.2 at 12:25 pm
    Hmm, haven’t seen much of him this season, but the highlights are nice though. His finishing ability around the hoop reminds me of Tony parker. Great hangtime, and very explosive off both stances. And this from a guy who had some knee issues in the preseason? Also love his ability to crossover equally fast with either hand, that’s rare. Looking good the rose from Chicago.

  • Darksaber Posted: Jan.2 at 12:27 pm
    Gotta agree with E on that though, i found “changing the game” a tad bit much in regards to D-Rose. (still can’t stand Chris’s bump and grind playmaking style though).

  • B. Long Posted: Jan.2 at 1:27 pm
    @Eboy:As far as prognasticating for this nba season, so far I picked your Heat at the 5 or 6 spot in the East(you showed little hope) and I picked the Nets to sneak in as well. I also said in my Dallas preview for Slam that the Mavs would struggle to make the playoffs in the West as well this season but they’d squeeze in, which you blasted me for. Was I wrong about the Lakers last year in the Finals. Hell yeah. But so far this year I’ve been pretty damn spot on.

  • B. Long Posted: Jan.2 at 1:38 pm
    And I’m pretty sure you picked the Hornets to win it all this season,E. Nuff said.

  • Russ Bengtson Posted: Jan.3 at 1:50 am
    I love Derrick, but he hasn’t drastically changed anything.

  • ThaWindyCity Posted: Jan.3 at 2:51 pm
    I haven’t seen much of the guy O.J but I have seen my man Rose. I have noticed that teams are starting to double up on the guy. Which simply means he’s a problem. He demands attention. I.Q might not be as high has O.J but so far ROY

  • ThaWindyCity Posted: Jan.3 at 2:58 pm
    And for the Beasley comment, reaching the playoffs before Rose, that has nothing to do with him as much as it does Wade(Chi-Town Stand Up). Which is a plus for Rose, because he Bulls are not too far behind in the Playoff race. And a closer 500 team then O.J’s Grizz.

  • 2ezy Posted: Jan.4 at 3:09 pm
    It’s hard to go past Rose so far for Rookie of the Year but some of the other guys have been stepping it up lately too. Brook Lopez often drops 20-10 games with blocks at 80-1 he’s a pretty good outside shot. Same with Marc Gasol he’s been having some great games now with Darko sidelined, and Westbrook has had some very nice games since he became the starter. Barring an injury Rose should get it, but if he misses some games its wide open to the rest of these guys.
    This is the current odds for it on the betting sites: NBA – Rookie Of The Year 2008/09 Derrick Rose 1.83
    O.J. Mayo 2.70
    Michael Beasley 10.50
    Greg Oden 22.00
    D.J. Augustin 55.00
    Rudy Fernandez 55.00
    Eric Gordon 60.00
    Brook Lopez 80.00
    Marc Gasol 90.00
    Mario Chalmers 80.00
    Russell Westbrook 85.00
    Jason Thompson 140.00
    Kevin Love 150.00
    Luc Richard Mbah a Moute 120.00
    Any Other 44.00 http://www.wbx.com/m.ashx/fca30/ptr001 I think they’ve got a free £25 bet on signup so its worth a try, imagine if Lopez gets it thats £2,000 you get for free :D

  • ray Posted: Jan.7 at 4:10 pm
    i created this mix by the way…. drose is definitely Rookie of the year. Drose has been carrying this bulls team the whole season so far. he has been the most spectacular rookie this season. Mayo is great but Rose is ROY
    please check out more of my mixes by going to
    youtube.com/rtbulls23

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