Derrick Rose talks to PhilBoxing
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 01 Oct 2014
CHICAGO - As a well-traveled athlete celebrated for his exploits as a Chicago Bull, Derrick Rose has been to many exotic places in the world, including, of course, the gorgeous slice of heaven known as the Philippines.
He last visited our country in September 2013. He liked our islands so much he vowed to return.
"I'd lock to go back," the 20111 NBA MVP told PhilBoxing.com during the Bulls' Media Day last September 29 at the Advocate Center, the team's brand new, state-of-the-art practice facility which stands right next to the United Center.
But hold your horses. D-Rose isn't jumping on a PAL flight anytime soon.
"I have some business to take care of here," he said. Obviously, that business is winning a chunk of games, perhaps even a championship this year, for his beloved Bulls. After that he will consult with Adidas if there are plans afoot to return to our famous archipelago.
Adidas is the sports apparel giant that D-Rose endorses. In February 2012, he inked a "lifetime" shoe deal with the company worth a groundbreaking $260 million, according to CSNChicago.com..
One of the most popular players in the NBA, Rose's meteoric rise stalled in 2012 when he tore the ACL on his left knee. On November the following year, he tore the meniscus on his right knee. The back-to-back injuries made him miss 115 of the Bulls' last 164 regular season games.
After surgeries and long, tedious hours in rehabilitation, D-Rose is finally healthy. In fact, he just finished a gold-medal stint at the FIBA World Cup in Spain. Although he didn't light that tournament on fire, he was able to fine tune his game and scrape some of the rust in his arsenal.
"The team we have right now, talent-wise, is stronger," Rose told reporters on Media Day.
It sure is.
And that's because the Bulls had a busy, productive offseason. They added Pau Gasol, a proven winner and 2-time champion via free agency, and traded for 3-point hotshot Doug McDermott during the NBA draft night last June. Luring Nikola Mirotic from the Euro League was the cherry on the sundae.
The Bulls' new faces hope to mingle well with the old ones -- Joakim Noah, Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson, Kirk Hinrich, Tony Snell and Nazr Mohammed. And when do, eventually, they have an excellent shot at winning the East and punch a ticket to the NBA Finals next June.
Rose didn't guarantee a title, but he promised to devote himself tirelessly to the championship cause.
Derrick Rose is here again. Let the fun begin.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
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