Chicago Boy Now and Later

Why is Derrick Rose smiling in this picture? It's quite simple really. He's sitting at the press conference where the Bulls formally announced that the reigning MVP has signed a five-year, $94.8 million contract extension. It's not like he was going to leave after his rookie contract expired after this season anyway, but this is the ultimate statement that Derrick Rose is the Chicago Bulls just like MJ before him. As such, they were going to keep him around and Derrick wasn't planning on going anywhere else.

Rose conducted the press conference with the humility and gracefulness he has become known and lauded for. He started off by thanking God. He also thanked his family (especially his mother Brenda), the Bulls and his friends. He said he never takes anything for granted and doesn't let bad influences affect his life. This, ladies and gentlemen, is how a superstar is supposed to act. He shouldn't buy up an hour of television to announce his taking his talents elsewhere. He shouldn't be disrespectful to the media who have helped build up the large reputation he has in the public eye. What Derrick Rose did today, and has done, should be the prototype for an athlete of his stature on how to approach things like this.

Besides the humility of this guy, what he has done on the court in only three years in the league is nothing short of extraordinary. So extraordinary in fact that the clause in the new CBA that allowed this deal to happen has been dubbed the Derrick Rose Rule. There are the obvious honors: Rookie of the Year, two-time All-Star, MVP. And all of this happened before he turned 23. No matter where he'd be playing, this deal would have happened.

Perhaps above all, he loves Chicago and Chicago loves him. So many in this area (including the author) dreamed of becoming a star for the Bulls, but for everyone not named Derrick Rose, it has to stay a dream. Rose is the one living it out, so he carries with him not only the weight of his hometown on his shoulders, but those childhood dreams of all of us who never got this opportunity.

I'll be 23, Rose's age, on January 8, so it could easily be me doing all of this right now. Instead, I'm just sitting in the family room of the house I've lived in for 16 years writing this on a laptop computer. Since Rose is the one living out the dream for both of us, I really, really hope he becomes even more than what he has been. He's supposed to, so let's hope he does. I want to see another Bulls championship and with Rose, the Bulls have an opportunity to do just that. You go, Derrick!

On a personal note, I don't know who in Russia is reading my blog, but thanks to whoever is doing so and feel free to leave a comment and tell me who you are.