Hours before taking the floor in Team USA’s scrimmage game, Rose reveals the elephant in the room.
Three seasons ago, Derrick Rose dethroned LeBron James of his annual MVP Award to take home the prize in 2011. Since December of that year, Rose has only played in a total of 50 games, following an ACL tear in his left knee during 2012 and a right torn meniscus in 2013.
Still at the tender age of 25, Rose joined Team USA Basketball a few weeks ago and has been impressive during early workouts – with some even saying this is the best they’ve ever seen him look. Over the years, the Chicago Bulls organization has had unconfirmed friction between coaches and players with team management. This dates back to even the Michael Jordan era, as he and Phil Jackson had internal problems with former general manager Jerry Krause.
From our perspective, current Bulls GM and former player, John Paxson has seen a private rift with his players and head coach Tom Thibodeau, from the Luol Deng trade in January. Derrick Rose confirmed his inner-circle had problems with Bulls management, who originally cleared him to play before his season-ending surgeries over the years.
After being pressured to return, Rose even sat out an entire season, citing he wasn’t ready mentally to play at maximum level. Tensions even worsened between the two sides when management was also pressuring Rose to recruit the likes of LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony to his team, but refused to ask fellow superstars to come to Chicago. Derrick revealed he recruited Pau Gasol this season, but cited any superstar should know the Bulls are the best option to win a championship; given their defensive-first mindset.
USA Basketball Showcase (9pm/et, @ESPN) big for roster hopefuls (via @johnschuhmann) http://t.co/JNHLuB0Rib
— NBA (@NBA) August 1, 2014
Chicago Sun-Times interviewed Rose after a practice with USA Basketball and shared some eye-raising comments, that even we felt could’ve been handled in a private manner.
“I know it’s been there, Rose told the Sun-Times, acknowledging there has been growing tension between the organization and the Rose camp. “I heard there were some upset people. I’m happy I didn’t personally see it. I don’t want to see that. I kind of wonder where it was coming from because it seemed like whenever I was around, everything was all right. It bothered me because when I wasn’t around, I would hear from certain people that everything wasn’t all right. It seems like everybody has one goal, from the front office all the way down now. It seems like everyone is finally communicating with each other. That’s all we need. You think about all the championship teams, they say that communication and one goal is usually the recipe. You take away all the other [stuff] and just make it simple. This is a new beginning for everybody. We’ve got a new practice facility, a new year where I’m coming back, and we have some great talent. It’s time to turn the page and move in a positive direction.”
Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf responded to Rose’s claims issuing a statement:
“I am confounded by the irresponsible report in the Chicago Sun-Times suggesting there is anything approaching discord or confusion between the Bulls executive office, coaching staff, and Derrick Rose or any other Bulls player. To the contrary, I can remember no time when the organization has been any more focused, optimistic, and cohesive. I’ve got to assume suggestions otherwise are intended to undermine the goals and objectives, spirit, and reputation of the Chicago Bulls. I am deeply disappointed that unnamed sources and totally inaccurate statements and assumptions can be used to foment nonexistent friction. The report is totally without basis or fact. It is pure malicious fiction.”
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