According to Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, there is one person bigger in Chicago than Michael Jordan. That person? Derrick Rose. Here is what Green had to say about him.
Draymond Green Claims Derrick Rose is Bigger in Chicago Than Michael Jordan
Jordan’s time with the Chicago Bulls will continue to be remembered as one of the greatest chapters in basketball history.
While he had great coaching and an excellent team, his leadership was a significant reason why six championship banners hang in the Bulls’ rafters. His presence also contributed to several prominent stars of that era ending their careers without championships. The impact he had on culture beyond the basketball court still resonates throughout the league today.
Despite what Jordan has brought to the sport and done for Chicago, Green claims that Rose is a bigger figure.
“There’s not one bigger person in the city of Chicago than Derrick Rose,” Green said on his podcast. “With all due respect to MJ, we all wanted to be like Mike, still love Mike. [But] Mike doesn’t mean more to the city of Chicago than Derrick Rose.”
Later, Green explained part of his reasoning for why he believes Rose is bigger than MJ: “When the Chicago Bulls were struggling for years after Mike, Derrick Rose came to save the franchise.”
🏀 🌹”D-Rose means more to the city of Chicago than Michael Jordan,” – Draymond Green congratulates Derrick Rose on his jersey retirement with high praise! pic.twitter.com/PaRYEkeIQR
— The Draymond Green Show (@DraymondShow) January 26, 2026
This bold statement from Green came after the Bulls retired Rose’s jersey this past weekend.
On Saturday, the arena was transported back in time, becoming a spectacle that evoked memories of Rose’s tenure with the organization. The game against the Boston Celtics became secondary, as honoring the former franchise superstar took center stage.
Rose was drafted No. 1 overall by the Bulls in 2008. In his first season, he was named Rookie of the Year, giving hope to a franchise that had not enjoyed the same success since Jordan left.
His first three years in the league reignited Chicago and turned the Bulls into a must-watch team again. He earned an All-Star nod in 2010 and became the league’s youngest MVP in 2011.
However, things took an ugly and unexpected turn in his fourth season. During the 2012 playoffs, Rose tore the ACL in his left knee while playing against the Philadelphia 76ers. He never fully returned to his MVP form, and in 2016, after eight seasons in Chicago, he was traded to the New York Knicks.
The Bulls never reached the same heights as they did during the Jordan era, but Rose remains deeply beloved by the fan base. He is cherished both for what he accomplished and for the “what-ifs” that surround his career. As a Chicago native, he is also celebrated as a hometown hero who gave everything to his hometown franchise.
