Derrick Rose is a few fries short of a happy meal

on 06 16, 2009

Derrick Rose had a phenomenal rookie season after being selected first in the 2008 NBA Draft. He won the rookie of the year award, averaging 16.8 ppg and 6.3 apg during the regular season while leading his young Chicago Bulls teams to a playoff appearance. He excelled even more in his first NBA Playoff experience, scoring almost 20 a game (19.7) while taking down 6.3 rebounds per game. Rose showed exactly what made him the number 1 pick overall, proving his outstanding athletic ability is just as outstanding in the NBA. Everything is just peachy for Rose and the Bulls, they choose a franchise point guard, a seemingly stand up guy, or so we thought…….

Seemingly moments after a game seven loss, after fighting hard as the underdogs against the reigning world champions, dirt was unveiled about a guy upset about a loss. The allegation was related to his admittance into the University of Memphis. Just as all those admitted to a university must meet certain criteria regarding academic prowess, athletes are subjected to the same criteria. Whether the situation was they didn’t trust his academic capabilities (think he is retarded) or just laziness by all parties, Rose was accused of cheating on the SAT. Either way you look at this scenario, it does not bode well for Rose’s character. However the spotlight was partially taken off Rose and shifted to Coach John Calipari, who had also been accused of having a hand in Marcus Camby receiving money while he coached at UMASS. Does Calipari’s influence or lack-there-of (depending on what you think of the situation, but come on you saw Blue Chips) take responsibility off of Rose? Does anyone except for Rose have the final decision on him taking his own SAT? I question a lot of people’s judgment in this situation, but none more than Derrick Rose.

So it’s been a short while since the SAT issue, people generally accepting that he was a 17 year old kid being manipulated by a lot of people with a lot of influence. His 07’-08’ Memphis season, he was lacking the basketball know-how and savvy to overcome an experienced Kansas team (define character, search Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur on Google) in the NCAA championship. More dirt came out of the woodwork concerning a picture that Rose has since proclaimed to be from his stay at Memphis.

For anyone familiar with the city, Rose grew up on Chicago’s notorious southside. If not familiar with Chicago, tune into The History Channel’s Gangland and you are likely to catch one of their episodes on the gang infested parts of Chicago. Emerging from this jungle had to have influenced a growing Rose in an inconceivable fashion. Regardless, Derrick Rose again showed his lack of character and cemented a public belief that this kid is a few fries short of a happy meal (am I wrong for assuming his lack of mental prowess could be the reason behind his lack of a medium-long range jump shot? Or his horrible defense?).

Will these side stories follow Derrick Rose throughout his career? I think so. He has proven both on and off the basketball court to make mental errors at crucial times. His physical abilities are unquestioned, but will his inability to make sound judgments be his Achilles’ heel throughout his career? For Chicago’s sake, I hope not.

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