3 reasons why Derrick Rose should make the Hall of Fame
Derrick Rose's career may have slowed due to injuries, but he is still one of the best point guards of the last 15 years. The Chicago native has had a career that is worthy of Hall of Fame consideration. Before his knee injuries began, Rose was on his way to becoming one of the greatest players in NBA history.
However, the former MVP still has some of the best numbers you will ever see and even now, he is still one of the best teammates in the NBA. Here are three reasons why the former MVP should be a Hall of Famer when his career is all over.
#1. Youngest MVP in NBA history
In 2011 with his hometown Chicago Bulls, Rose became the youngest MVP in league history at 22 years of age.
That season, he averaged a career-high 25.0 points per game, 7.7 assists per game, and a career-high 4.1 rebounds per game. Rose led the Bulls to 62 wins and their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 1998.
This season was when the NBA finally realized that Derrick Rose was different. The way he played. His athleticism. The way he attacked the rim while also making his teammates better. At his best, there was no point guard that was better. It was his 2011 season that made every other player in the NBA want to be better.
#2. Mind-blowing statistics
First and foremost, Derrick Rose has a career points-per-game average of 17.7. That is a better mark than Hall of Famers James Worthy, Alonzo Mourning, Grant Hill, Gary Payton, and Scottie Pippen. His career assists-per-game mark is 5.3. That is a better output than Hall of Famers Michael Jordan, John Havlicek, and Jo Jo White.
Even as a defender, Rose has put up Hall of Fame numbers. He has more career blocks than Sidney Moncrief and Steph Curry (240). Imagine being a better career scorer than James Worthy, a better passer than John Havlicek and a better defender than Sidney Moncrief.
Derrick Rose has had a much better career than people think, especially when it comes to his numbers.
He has over 12,000 career points, over 3,000 career assists, over 4,000 career rebounds and almost 5,000 career field goals made in his entire decade-and-a-half career. He has been with five different teams in the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves and the Detroit Pistons.
#3. All-time accomplishments
Simply put, Derrick Rose has done everything there is to do from a singular player's perspective. He was Mr. Basketball in the state of Illinois in 2007 and an All-American at Memphis in 2008.
Rose earned the 2009 NBA Rookie of the Year. He is a three-time All-Star and a former All-NBA First-Team Performer. Additionally, the 15-year veteran is a two-time Olympic gold medalist.
The only key piece that Rose is missing from his NBA portfolio is an NBA ring. Rose and the Knicks currently sit fifth in the Eastern Conference standings with a record of 43-33.
If Rose was a part of the first Knicks team to win an NBA Championship since 1973, that could be what he needs to cement his Hall of Fame status.