Bucher's ESPN the Mag Article on D.Rose

by sin on Mar 15, 2011 7:50 PM CDT

I know not everyone gets Insider and I haven't seen a link to this piece yet on the site so I thought you guys might like giving it a read. I really liked it. Obviously it's another one of those pieces ESPN has been churning out on the D.Rose bandwagon but this is by Bucher and he was one of the few people who was building the D.Rose hype early in the year when everyone else was taking turns shitting on D.Rose.

Anyways I thought I'd share some quotes in the article I found interesting.

Chicago, of course, hasn't suffered as a city like Cleveland has, but Rose's goal of restoring his hometown's luster may be even more daunting. After all, no player in NBA history has shouldered a town like Michael Jordan. How could anyone do it again? The bar for success in Chicago is so high that most stars -- from Grant Hill to Tim Duncan to LeBron -- have passed on trying, knowing that taking on MJ's legacy is a losing proposition. "Derrick made no bones about wanting to be here," says Bulls executive John Paxson. "That tells you something about him right there."

Where some see a shadow, Rose sees an opening. "The way I look at it is, What would happen if you could pass him? How big could you be?" Rose says. "It would be crazy. It would be amazing if you could just get close."

How awesome is that one? I think I've seen that one somewhere else before but damn I love it even more considering the season he's been having. Love that point of view he has.

Interestingly, Rose doesn't display that fearlessness with a flexed pose or postdunk primal roar. It simply radiates off him. It's why an East All-Star squad that included LeBron, Dwyane Wade, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Amar'e Stoudemire and Dwight Howard voted Rose as its captain. And why, despite a quiet 11 points and five assists in an East squad loss, he alone heard chants of "M-V-P!" from an LA crowd as he stood at the free throw line. And maybe even why his first signature shoe outsold LeBron's.

Did any of you guys know this? I never heard about any of this. Was D.Rose really voted captain? And how awesome is it that his damn shoe outsold LeBron's?

It's Brenda to whom Rose blows a kiss just prior to tip-off at every home game. Before Rose's rookie season, when an Adidas executive asked a group of new signees what they hoped to accomplish their first year, most spoke of statistics or awards. Rose said: "Make my mama happy and my city proud."

That's awesome. I would love to know what some of the other guys said, like Beasley for example. I laugh at the thought of what numbers Beasley must have thought he was going to average coming in.

But yeah those are just some of the quotes in the article that stuck out to me. The piece as a whole was a real nice read I thought so I provided a link to copied and pasted version below. (I would copy and paste the whole damn thing here but I'm not sure if that's allowed.)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FrIwanCTZSzQdjR7D6w1qSzFVXO4966-TX5yIzrGruY/edit?hl=en&authkey=CNrJkb4C

FanPosts are user-created posts from the BlogABull community, and are to be treated as the opinions and views of that particular user, not that of the blogger or blog community as a whole.

Tweet Comment 43 comments | 7 recs |

Do you like this story?

Around SB Nation

Golden Nuggets: Andrew Bynum's "easy" comments jinx the Lakers ...

May 2012 from Denver Stiffs - 1049 comments

USA Basketball: Olympic Team Adds Harden, Davis To Roster Selection

May 2012 from Barking Carnival - 23 comments

Who'd You Rather Be? Raptors vs Mavericks

May 2012 from Raptors HQ - 24 comments

NBA Rumors: Adonal Foyle Denies Orlando Magic Interviewed Him for General Manager

May 2012 from Orlando Pinstriped Post - 25 comments

Glen Davis' First Orlando Magic Season Doesn't Go His Way

May 2012 from Orlando Pinstriped Post - 64 comments

Comments

Yeah, it was really good

I was gonna post that thing about captain also. How did we not hear about that? It seems like a pretty big deal

I didn't want to type this sentence, the force from an Omer Asik dunk made my fingers do it.

by Juiceboxjerry on Mar 15, 2011 8:10 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah I wonder how the voting went

I guessing that just about every player voted for himself or a teammate, except the Atlanta guys (because who are they kidding?) and maybe Howard (he seems to like Rose) and Rose ended up with the high count of 3-4 votes.

Pat Riley is the devil.

by Poloplaya14 on Mar 15, 2011 9:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Maybe it wen't down like Pirates of the Caribbean; At World's End.

They all vote for themselves, Rose does as well just for the hell of it, and Howard mischievously says, "Elizabeth Swann… or rather, Derrick Rose."
So not only was he the All-Star Team Captain, but also the Pirate King.

Road to the Number 1 Seed Assassination Missions:

Wizards:
Nets:
Pacers:

Congratulations to the Central Division Champions: The Chicago Bulls!

by Dr. Handsome, D.D.S. on Mar 15, 2011 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions 6 recs

Well this reference happened...

and I kinda dig it…

"What do you think, I just dunked my whole career?" Jordan asked Henderson after making a 3.
"You’ve got to miss eventually," Henderson told him.
"That’s what Cleveland said," replied Jordan

by MRubio52 on Mar 15, 2011 10:19 PM CDT up reply actions

...was that also a Gilbert & Sullivan reference, or am I just a music major and things are going to my head?

A true friend stabs you in the front - Oscar Wilde

by dantheman3k on Mar 16, 2011 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm guessing the starting point guard gets that vote a lot.

He’s kind of the default captain on a team full of superstars. And to me it does not seem like a big deal.

by Tim S. on Mar 16, 2011 8:27 AM CDT up reply actions

KC? Is that you?

Road to the Number 1 Seed Assassination Missions:

Wizards: Mission Accomplished. 1/2 game on on the Celtics.
Nets:
Pacers:

Congratulations to the Central Division Champions: The Chicago Bulls!

by Dr. Handsome, D.D.S. on Mar 16, 2011 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions 5 recs

Bucket emptied:

Water deployed: subject doused: excitement mitigated.

by jpx7 on Mar 16, 2011 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Glad to be of service.

But KC would have started with “sources close to Bulls management say …”

by Tim S. on Mar 16, 2011 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions 3 recs

if rondo got the starting point guard job, you think they'll vote for him?

i think, no.

by JLbuLL on Mar 17, 2011 9:02 AM CDT up reply actions

That would depend if they are voting on who should get punched in the face...in which case rondo would indeed win by a landslide...

"The only reason people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory."

by Jadaminator on Mar 17, 2011 9:35 PM CDT up reply actions

I just never get tired of reading about how humble DRose is.

Also, weren’t LeBron’s first shoes ugly as shit?

by Fergie3108 on Mar 15, 2011 9:03 PM CDT reply actions

So that explains why LeRod wouldn't let Rose handle the ball.

Road to the Number 1 Seed Assassination Missions:

Wizards:
Nets:
Pacers:

Congratulations to the Central Division Champions: The Chicago Bulls!

by Dr. Handsome, D.D.S. on Mar 15, 2011 9:50 PM CDT reply actions

Most of lebron's shoes are ugly as hell

Rose: Who in the blue hell are you?
Rondo: Well
IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO YOU ARE!

by T.Moore on Mar 15, 2011 10:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Like his hairline, oh!

Ugh, I shouldn’t talk about hairlines. Just asking to go bald myself….

Road to the Number 1 Seed Assassination Missions:

Wizards: Mission Accomplished. 1/2 game on on the Celtics.
Nets:
Pacers:

Congratulations to the Central Division Champions: The Chicago Bulls!

by Dr. Handsome, D.D.S. on Mar 15, 2011 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs

Mad props, Sin.

Ethically shaky, but good work anyway.

by streamsowhiskey on Mar 15, 2011 10:25 PM CDT reply actions 4 recs

Yeah, pretty sure it's pretty illegal to just copy and paste this onto Google docs

Then again, I have about 50 BluRay movies on my external hard drive from bit torrents. Don’t throw rocks in a glass house, NittanyCub.

by NittanyCub on Mar 15, 2011 10:33 PM CDT up reply actions 4 recs

I live in a similarly glass house, and keep my rocks in my pocket

But I will throw this pertinent information out there.

by jpx7 on Mar 16, 2011 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Well you know what they say

People in glass houses sink ships.

Bears. Bulls. White Sox.

by The Voiss on Mar 16, 2011 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

rec'd

for the Boondock Saints reference!

Turco was good, but Crawford has a force field...

by Coz_Bulls_Fan on Mar 18, 2011 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions

I live in a plexiglass house

and throw flamethrowers.

I only post cotton candy. Because it's delicious.

by Prevenge on Mar 16, 2011 7:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Seconded, thanks for posting this

Definitely wouldn’t have had a chance to read it otherwise and it was a good read. Also, if KD is asking for free insider passwords on his twitter, I think we should let this one fly under the radar.

by slowmotion on Mar 16, 2011 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Wow

Basically DRose is sayin maybe MJ can be the shadow,. Why play for the Bulls if you’re gonna always be the shadow, there would be no point. I love DRose!!!

by T2fan on Mar 15, 2011 10:36 PM CDT reply actions

Love the attitude, but I hope that Derrick understands the full implications of this statement

Maybe I worry too much about this, but when reading reports of when MJ became larger than life it seemed to have ruined any semblance of living a normal life for him. Jordan used to have to wear huge headphones, often without any music playing, just to be able to walk from the lockerroom to the team bus without getting mobbed. He could never go out in public and became a reculse who’s only relief came during the 48 minutes of game time. I think that ended up making Jordan a very unhappy and slightly bitter person.

You can talk all you want about how much money MJ made and how he can’t possibly complain about the fame, but DRose seems like someone who really doesn’t enjoy being in the public eye.

Granted Jordan was bigger than the game of basketball and where he took marketing may never be surpassed, but Derrick is such a quiet kid I wonder how he would handle something like not being able to go out in public without fans screaming at him. I absolutely want Derrick to surpass MJ in terms of his place in basketball history, but Derrick is such a special player and I (probably unneccessarily) worry about how constantly being mobbed by the public could be a major strain for him on the basketball court, and more importantly in the quality of his life.

by slowmotion on Mar 16, 2011 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

So the implication is other superstars feel the same way about rose's leadership that the media does

if its true that’s damn cool. even I was getting fed up with the hype machine building him up to some ridiculous level. if the players agree then maybe we do have a once-in-a-generation guy on our hands.

If you meet the buddha in the lane, feed him the ball.

by paddyfairview on Mar 15, 2011 11:24 PM CDT reply actions

I've read enough to believe Rose's persona is not an act.

He’s not much of an actor, after all. But I still wouldn’t place too much emphasis on the vote for captain of an all-star team.

by Tim S. on Mar 16, 2011 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Well

You have to show up to the set to be a good actor.

by jpx7 on Mar 16, 2011 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Ouch.

I only post cotton candy. Because it's delicious.

by Prevenge on Mar 16, 2011 7:21 PM CDT up reply actions

So how does Cowherd react to that?

Considering apparently no superstars like the guy, it’s odd they would vote him their captain…

by Grinder in Training on Mar 16, 2011 8:43 AM CDT reply actions

It troubles me that you read this and thought "What does Colin Cowherd think?"

That guy should not be anywhere near the forefront of anybody’s mind.

Pat Riley is the devil.

by Poloplaya14 on Mar 16, 2011 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions 7 recs

IN CAPS

Cowherd:

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA ROSE IS THE WORST PLAYER EVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

I only post cotton candy. Because it's delicious.

by Prevenge on Mar 16, 2011 7:22 PM CDT up reply actions

great read, thanks man

A true friend stabs you in the front - Oscar Wilde

by dantheman3k on Mar 16, 2011 11:55 AM CDT reply actions

More ESPN

I see that ESPN put up their NBA Future Power Rankings (for insiders only, I keep waiting for them to put their entire site up for paid subscriptions, I wish they would so they’d dry up and fly away).

Anyway a quick google gave me this link: http://bbs.hoopchina.com/1770715.html

You might have to cut and paste that into a new window

by fossilhippie on Mar 16, 2011 1:28 PM CDT reply actions

that is not this one.

Notice how it mentions DWill on the jazz. uh. And the bulls are fourth. go to the fanshots: Bulls are #1 on the recent one.

A true friend stabs you in the front - Oscar Wilde

by dantheman3k on Mar 16, 2011 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions

sorry

try this
http://bbs.hoopchina.com/1988698.html

by fossilhippie on Mar 16, 2011 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions

It's sad looking at the end of that list.

Who could have a worse future than the Hornets? Oh yeah, the Bucks. Well who could .. Oh yeah, the Raptors. Well … Oh yeah, the Suns. W … Oh yeah, the Timberwolves. Surely no one could … Oh yeah, the Pistons. Is that rock bottom? Oh yeah, the Cavs. Surely that’s it? Oh yeah, the Bobcats.

And in 2016 (five years out!), we have the Bobcats’ unprotected lottery pick. If they keep getting worse and we don’t trade it by then (both very possible).

by Tim S. on Mar 17, 2011 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions

I love how the Bucks, Cavs and Pistons are all going to be in the gutter for

the forseeable future. I mean, the Bulls may go undefeated in the division for the next few years, let alone one.

by dakoose on Mar 17, 2011 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions

If the league really does contract,

the Bucks have to be on the list. I don’t expect it to happen, but still …

by Tim S. on Mar 17, 2011 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions

As long as the league does not contract VDN, we all should be safe.

Road to the Number 1 Seed Assassination Missions:

Wizards: Mission Accomplished. 1/2 game on on the Celtics.
Nets:
Pacers:

Congratulations to the Central Division Champions: The Chicago Bulls!

by Dr. Handsome, D.D.S. on Mar 17, 2011 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I love how guys like to harp on this team's 2 guard issues.

Sure, the Bulls could use a better 2 guard, but the Spurs could use a legit starting center, the Heat need a PG AND center, the Lakers could use a better PG and SF, the Celtics could use another scorer and health, etc, etc. Every team has issues, the Bulls aren’t the only one.

by dakoose on Mar 17, 2011 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions