Derrick Rose wrote history during the night of the game against Utah Jazz and set a new career record with 50 points. Various stars from the NBA congratulated the 2011 MVP, which has gone through so many difficult times since then.
Rose has been thrown back several times by complicated knee injuries and has missed many games since 2011. After his departure from the Chicago Bulls, the last two years have been disappointing – Rose spent one season with the Knicks, last season he ran for the Cavs until they finally traded him.
His signature in Minnesota during the season was considered by many to be the last chance for Rose, who is now 30 years old. “I try to seize every chance I get,” Rose had explained to ESPN at the time. And so far this has been very successful. After half the last season the Timberwolves held him in the summer and so far he is paying back this confidence in the young season.
Even before the match against Utah, Rose had been one of the few rays of hope in a turbulent Wolves season with 14.3 points and 4.9 assists, and Jimmy Butler’s trade wish for a bumpy ride. Against jazz, however, Rose then showed a performance that not many people would have believed him capable of, despite everything.
With 50 points, Rose not only set up a career high, he also scored the fourth highest number of points for a player this season and the second highest number ever played on Halloween. In addition to his own emotional interview, the stars in the social media also reacted with congratulations for Rose.
A selection:
LeBron James: “I’m so happy and proud of you, bro! I’ve seen first hand how hard you’ve worked to just make one game after another! This is the ABSOLUTE definition of staying power! #DRoseforPresident”
Dwyane Wade: “Every basketball fan in the world should be happy for DRose. Today was an example of never giving yourself up, and when other people believe in you, incredible things can happen. I’m grinning as if I hung up 50 of my own! Congratulations to a good guy.”
Scottie Pippen: “Unbelievable. He’s been through so much. I couldn’t be happier for him.”
Stephen Curry: “This is so outstanding! I can hardly imagine the hard days, weeks, months and years he has experienced. 50! So much respect, bro!”
Curiously, Rose played this game against the team of all people, traded for him last season and then dismissed him immediately afterwards. Rose didn’t leave it at the 50 points either – he also blocked Dante Exum in his attempt to equalise at the end of the game. “I still haven’t really realized it,” Rose commented at the end even in tears.