The New York Knicks honor their former teammate Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose was number one both on the United Center court and in the hearts of everyone gathered for the Chicago Bulls’ Saturday night game against the New York Knicks.

Rose was presented with a ceremony over the weekend commemorating his Chicago basketball career, culminating in a celebration at the United Center amid the Knicks’ visit. The 2011 MVP award winner began his career as a Bull and played parts of four seasons as a Knicks in two separate stints.

“Everyone’s story is different. For whatever reason, mine ended up being that way. Coming from Chicago, we roll with the punches,” Rose said during a speech to fans at halftime. according to ESPN’s Jamal Collier. “(Tonight) is about giving everyone in this room, everyone who was a part of the story, the journey, the good, the bad, the ugly, it’s celebrating everyone.”

That included the Knicks, who were heavily represented at Rose’s celebration: New York was perhaps the perfect opponent for Rose’s night, considering his shared tenure with the Knicks, as there are several holdovers from his last tenure from 2021 to 2023. Among them is Tom Thibodeau, who maintained his enthusiasm during the pregame stages of Saturday’s matchup.

“He did it against the best. (He was) very authentic, he did it his way, relentless, he never gave up.” Thibodeau, who oversaw Rose’s respective stops in Chicago, New York and Minnesota, said: by WFLD video. “I always say the true measure of a man is how he handles adversity and no one did it better. He never stayed down, he always found a way to rise. I’m excited for him for the career he’s had. I think he’s a Hall of Famer. of Fame. I have no doubt that he is a Hall of Fame player.”

One of the loudest applauses of the night came after Rose gave his halftime speech, as he and Thibodeau embraced after the Knicks took the court for the second half.

Members of the Knicks also donned warm-up jerseys to commemorate Saturday’s date (4/1/25), which combined the numbers Rose wore when he was a Bull, a Knick and a high school student at Simeon Career Academy, also in Chicago. Karl-Anthony Towns, who played with Rose at Minnesota, went a step further and wore a jersey depicting the point guard’s famous slam cover from his college heyday in Memphis.

“I’m very grateful to have him as a role model, as a mentor,” said Knicks star Jalen Brunson, Rose’s former teammate in New York. according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. “That’s my man and I love him to death.”

Time will tell if the Knicks will return to Chicago for the formal retirement ceremony for Rose’s number next season. Meanwhile, New York returns home for a Monday night game against the Orlando Magic (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).

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