Saturday night marked a special moment in Chicago Bulls history as franchise legend Derrick Rose became just the fifth player to have his jersey (No. 1) retired and the first Chicago native to receive the honor.
The former MVP used the emotional occasion to reflect on the people who shaped his career, offering heartfelt praise for Tom Thibodeau. Rose, who played under Thibodeau at three different stops, said he was the first coach to truly make him feel special as a player.
Derrick Rose Honors Tom Thibodeau During Jersey Retirement
Selected first overall by the Bulls in the 2008 NBA Draft, Rose didn’t cross paths with Thibodeau until 2010. The pairing quickly proved special. Under Thibodeau’s demanding system, Rose averaged a career-high 25.0 points per game during the 2010–11 season, becoming the youngest MVP in NBA history, while Thibodeau earned Coach of the Year honors.
Although Rose’s time in Chicago was later defined by devastating injuries, he made it clear during the ceremony that he doesn’t want that chapter to define his relationship with Thibodeau.
“They look at Thibs as the injury part, but I’m here to say f**k that,” Rose said. “There’s a reason why, everything is meant to be bro. Thibs was the 1st coach who made me feel special when we used to watch film. I used to do sh*t in games just to make sure he saw me on tape.”
Known for both his creativity and confidence, Rose also showed his trademark wit while delivering a playful compliment to his former coach.
“Thibs, you may have gone to Harvard, you may have done physics, but I showed you physics,” he said.
Chicago was the peak of Rose’s career, but his bond with Thibodeau didn’t end there. The two reunited later with the Minnesota Timberwolves and again with the New York Knicks, further solidifying a relationship built on trust and mutual respect.
Thibodeau, a two-time Coach of the Year, returned the praise, calling Rose a rare talent who thrived in the biggest moments.
“His humility made our team special,” Thibodeau said. “His leadership was about trust, accountability, and performance. He showed everyone what it means to be a great Chicago Bull and a great man. The next stop, in my opinion, is the Hall of Fame.”
While fans will always wonder what could have been if not for Rose’s ACL injury during the 2012 playoffs, his career remains undeniably impactful. He finished with career averages of 17.4 points and 5.2 assists and now joins Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Jerry Sloan, and Bob Love as the only players in Bulls history to have their jerseys retired.
