Derrick Rose was on the fast track to a Hall of Fame NBA career. The 2008 first overall pick’s career was disrupted by a devastating knee injury in his fourth season, but he was able to play 12 seasons after recovering.
Rose recently sat down for a Q&A with HoopsHype and discussed many things, including who his GOAT is.
Derrick Rose Ends His GOAT Debate With Shocking Reveal
The Chicago Bulls took Rose first overall in the 2008 NBA Draft, and the Memphis product went on to be named Rookie of the Year after averaging 16.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.3 assists. Chicago hired Tom Thibodeau ahead of the 2010-11 season and reached the Eastern Conference Finals.
Rose was named league MVP that season after averaging career-highs in points (25.0), rebounds (4.1), and assists (7.7). The Bulls were the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed after finishing 62-20, and lost to the LeBron James-led Miami Heat in the Conference Finals.
Chicago secured the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed the following season, but Rose suffered a torn ACL in the first game of the playoffs. The injury caused him to miss the entire next season, and he never reached the same heights the rest of his career.
The three-time All-Star recently attended the 2025 Adidas Eurocamp and sat down with HoopsHype‘s Cyro Asseo de Choch for a question-and-answer session. Rose was asked about the camp, what advice he’d give young players, and who is his GOAT.
Shockingly, he didn’t name Michael Jordan or LeBron James, but rather Detroit Pistons legend and fellow Chicago-native Isiah Thomas.
Rose replied, “I mean, my GOAT now is Isiah Thomas because he’s from Chicago. The only guy who beat Magic [Johnson], Mike [Jordan], and [Larry] Bird all in their prime at 6-3. Chicago’s way of doing sh*t. I used to say MJ, but it wasn’t MJ. I said it because I was intrigued by his story and how he won. But I’m not a two-guard. I don’t score like him at all. So it was just me just admiring his story.”
Thomas fought hard to be recognized as one of the NBA’s best players during his 13-year career. He was a 6’1″ point guard who entered the league when it was dominated by the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, but led the “Bad Boys” Pistons to back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990.
Thomas was never the most-liked player in the league when Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were considered the faces of the NBA, and Jordan was on the come-up. In the 1989 playoffs, Detroit defeated Boston in the first round, the Bulls in the Conference Finals, and swept the Lakers to capture the title.
It’s possible Rose considered Thomas his favorite player of all time, rather than the GOAT, given their similar stature. Charlotte Hornets rising star Brandon Miller has claimed Paul George is his GOAT since they have similar size and play styles. Rose’s declaration sounds like it’s coming from a relatable place.
However, Rose makes a pretty strong case for Thomas since he was able to take down the NBA’s three toughest teams all in the same postseason.
Nonsense