Derrick Rose

Recent Q & A

Question:

What was it like being part of the Team USA camp in Vegas?

Answer:

It was great. It was an honor to be invited, and I hope I made a good impression. Just to be there and play with so many great players was a good learning experience and a lot of fun for me. I can't wait for future opportunities with Team USA!

Question:

Are you there all the time and on all the 4 days of the camp?

Answer:

Yes! I'll be there throughout the camp meeting everyone and teaching all the campers.

Question:

What are you most looking forward to about all-star weekend?

Answer:

Just being with the fans. Being with my family. And just having fun, that's what the whole experience is about. Just having fun down there and learning some leadership skills while I'm down there with those great players.

Question:

How does it feel to be an all-star?

Answer:

I really can't describe it right now. It really hasn't hit me. Hopefully, when I get down to Dallas that's when it will really hit me, I know. I really didn't know there wasn't an All-Star for the Bulls since Mike in '98 or something like that, so just thinking about that it's amazing.

Question:

at the moment, are you a bigger Memphis fan or Kentucky fan?

Answer:

Memphis. I'll always be a Memphis fan. But my coach [John Calipari] is in Kentucky, so I'm their fan too, but I'm definitely a Memphis fan.

Bucks 4 Buckets

Power Balance - Bucks for Buckets

Updates

Wed, Apr 8th 2009, 10:35

Derrick Rose, in Rookie Season, Leads Bulls’ Resurgence

To promote Derrick Rose for rookie of the year, the Chicago Bulls produced a glossy 12-page pamphlet packed with statistical achievements. But the key numbers are visible only with the aid of red-tinged 3-D glasses.

Put on the glasses and one can see the Bulls’ spike in points per game (plus 4.7 through Monday) and field-goal percentage (.456, up from .435) since Rose’s arrival, along with a handy chart comparing his season with the rookie campaigns of Jason Kidd, Chris Paul and Deron Williams.

Needless to say, Rose compares favorably, with or without the help of the rose-colored glasses.

“It’s great,” an appreciative Rose said of the kitschy marketing effort, “but I want to get it from how I’m playing.”

Despite heavy accolades, Rose is humble to a fault — he gave himself a B-minus in a recent Chicago Tribune interview — but he seems to realize that he is his own best advocate. His nightly performances, and the Bulls’ resurgence in the Eastern Conference, are sufficient evidence to justify his rookie of the year candidacy.

The Bulls missed the postseason last year but are closing in on a playoff berth with a week to play. Chicago (38-40) is in seventh place, a half game ahead of Detroit after Tuesday’s 110-103 victory over the Knicks.

If the Bulls make it, Rose would become only the seventh No. 1 draft pick since 1981 to make the playoffs as a rookie. He would be the only one to do so as a point guard, which is easily the most challenging position on the court.

Rose, who had 18 points and 6 assists, is on pace to become the eighth rookie in N.B.A. history to average at least 16 points, 6 assists and 3.5 rebounds. That group includes Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson and Penny Hardaway. Its most recent member was Paul, who achieved the feat in 2005-6.