Derrick Rose: A Chicago Legend Who Defied the Odds and the Hate

I had a former colleague—who later became a friend and neighbor—who began to say some terrible things about then-Bulls point guard Derrick Rose after his devastating injuries when some thought he could’ve played.& Over time, his social media comments about Rose’s availability became progressively negative, culminating in the following: “He’s just another thug from the hood.” When I saw the Facebook post, I immediately knew what time it was. When I confronted my soon-to-be former friend about what he posted, he ignored my concerns regarding the tone. That instance told me all I needed to know about them.& Between Rose’s debut as a freshman at Simeon, the standardized testing controversy, being the NBA’s youngest MVP award-winner, his injury at the end of a playoff game the Bulls had in hand, his trade to the Knicks, the civil lawsuit where he was found not liable for rape, trespassing and other charges, the resurrection of his career, and his retirement announcement made late last month in the Chicago Tribune, to some, represents what could’ve been.& And, perhaps most importantly, what some believe the Englewood-born and raised hooper represented. Rose, who made his retirement after 16 seasons official, said as much, in part,...