In his latest episode of the Podcast P show, Paul George was asked who had the best rookie season in the NBA, and he didn’t hesitate in naming former Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose.
“I think I gotta go with D-Rose. Man, do you remember how crazy D-Rose was? Derrick Rose hands down has put on the greatest, if not one of the greatest, rookie campaigns,” George said.
Derrick Rose joined the NBA in 2008 when the Chicago Bulls selected him with the first overall pick. In a draft class stacked with Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, Brook Lopez, Eric Gordon, and Michael Beasley, among others, Derrick Rose stood tall because he eventually won the Rookie of the Year award.
Other than Derrick Rose, Paul George also gave a shoutout to Tyreke Evans and Luka Doncic, who also balled out for the Sacramento Kings and the Dallas Mavericks, respectively, during their debut NBA campaigns.
“I think Tyreke Evans’ rookie season was crazy good,” Paul George said.
“Luka’s rookie year was crazy. It was looking like it was too easy for him for a rookie,” added the former Most Improved Player of the Year award-winner.
Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls were a match made in heaven
Derrick Rose spent the best years of his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls. In his first year in his hometown, the Memphis product led the team to the NBA playoffs as a seventh seed where they faced the Boston Celtics in the first round by averaging 16.8 points, 6.3 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game during the regular season.
The first round between the Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics was exciting, to say the least since it went to seven games. The Chicago Bulls ultimately fell short, but the future looked bright.
Derrick Rose made his first of three NBA All-Star appearances in his sophomore season and eventually became the youngest player in NBA history to win MVP in 2011.
Known for his supreme athleticism at his position and daredevil style of play, injuries have caught up with Derrick Rose, and he hasn’t been the same since.
After spending the first eight years of his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls, Rose has played for the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, and the Memphis Grizzlies.
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