Bulls jersey retirement should solidify Derrick Rose's Hall of Fame case

For Rose, the honor is well deserved. After being drafted first overall by his hometown Bulls in the 2008 NBA Draft, Rose enjoyed a historic stint in Chicago. From his debut to his final season in Chicago, Rose dazzled crowds with his acrobatic skill set and brought back a winning era of Bulls basketball unseen since Michael Jordan's departure. 

In seven seasons as a Bull, Rose was a three-time All-Star, won Rookie of the Year (2008-09), earned an All-NBA First Team selection (2011) and became the youngest MVP in NBA history in just his third season.

"Derrick is both a hometown hero and a symbol of an entire era of Bulls basketball," Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement.

Rose's former coach, Tom Thibodeau, shared a similar sentiment.

"So well deserved," Thibodeau, who coached Rose with the Bulls, Knicks and Timberwolves, said before the game. "For what he means to the city, the Bulls, and the entire NBA. I had the opportunity to coach against him, so I know how difficult that is. I had the good fortune to coach him. You see from looking in the eyes of the opponent, when they had to guard him you could see the fear and the respect."

Despite his enthusiasm about his jersey retirement and immense popularity in Chicago, Rose joked that he does not desire a statue in his honor.

"The statues, the way people been creating the statues, no, I do not want no statue," Rose told ESPN's Shams Charania.

Rose was seemingly addressing Dwyane Wade's odd-looking statue, which was unveiled by the Miami Heat in October to much skepticism. Wade brushed off the jokes, saying that he didn't care about people's opinions.

Rose, however, cares enough to deter the Bulls from considering the option.

"Jerry, no statue, bro. Please, Michael, no statue," Rose told ESPN, looking at the camera to address Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf and president Michael Reinsdorf.

Although an honorary statue outside the United Center is unlikely, Rose should soon have his bust in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. 

Every MVP in NBA history is in the Hall of Fame except for the nine who played last season: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid and Rose, who retired in September.

With Rose being the youngest MVP in league history, in addition to his multiple All-Star nods, the Chicago native deserves to be a virtual lock for the Hall of Fame.