"S**t, Kobe noticed that" - Derrick Rose once credited Kobe Bryant's legendary work ethic for inspiring his MVP run
On Thursday, Chicago's favorite son Derrick Rose announced his retirement from basketball after 16 seasons in the NBA. The news came on the heels of the Memphis Grizzlies waiving Rose earlier in the week, despite the former MVP having one year left on his contract.
Following Rose's retirement announcement on Thursday, the NBA community began to share tributes to the longtime fan favorite on social media. One such post included a clip of Derrick Rose's appearance on the "My Expert Opinion" podcast in 2022, where he opened up on how Kobe Bryant's work ethic inspired his MVP run during the 2011 season with the Chicago Bulls.
As Derrick Rose explained, after signing with Kobe Bryant's first agent, he tried to do everything like Kobe, from improving his jumpshot to giving up social activities so he could focus exclusively on basketball. As it turns out, Kobe Bryant noticed. Rose said:
"I signed with Arn Tellem at the time because that was Kobe's first agent. I'm asking him everything about Kobe. I wanted to see if he's seen that I've been working on my shooting. He noticed it. Like, 'Damn, you've been working on your shooting?' I'm like, 'Oh, shit. Kobe noticed that.'"
"I'm thinking, 'Kobe is not doing it'" - Derrick Rose explains how Kobe Bryant's Mamba Mentality rubbed off on him
Back in September 2010, Derrick Rose famously asked, "Why can't I be the best player in the league?" After two seasons, which saw him earn the 2009 Rookie of the Year award before then improving on his numbers the following season, Rose was ready to elevate his game to the next level.
He answered his own challenge, going from a 20.8 ppg scorer to a 25.0 ppg scorer on 44.5% from the floor. At the same time, he also averaged what at that point was a career-high 7.7 assists per game while leading the Bulls to the best record in the Eastern Conference.
As Derrick Rose explained during his appearance on the "My Expert Opinion" podcast in 2022, during his first three years in the NBA, he didn't attend parties or concerts. Instead, he used Kobe Bryant's Mamba Mentality as inspiration.
"My first three years ... I didn't go to parties. I didn't go out to eat. I didn't go to concerts. I ain't do none of that s**t because I'm thinking, 'Kobe is not doing it, and he's not showing nobody his workouts.' Like, separating himself from people. And that intimidation, play against him, is in the air."
"When he catch the ball, you got 20,000 people in the arena, like, 'You about to get f****d up. What move he going to hit you with?' That led to me doing something that's in the record books. Winning the MVP."
With the curtain now closed on Rose's career, all eyes are now on the Chicago Bulls as NBA fans eagerly await news on whether the team will sign him to a one-day contract so he can end his career with the franchise. In addition, many have wondered whether the team will retire his jersey at some point this season.