Kevin Durant does not hand out praise lightly, especially when the moment calls for reflection rather than hype. Ahead of Derrick Rose’s jersey retirement in Chicago, Durant took time to step back and acknowledge what Rose represented, not just to the Bulls, but to basketball itself.
Saturday night at the United Center marks a full-circle moment for Derrick Rose, the Chicago kid who once sat in those same seats watching greatness unfold. His No. 1 jersey will rise to the rafters alongside icons like Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, cementing Rose’s place in Bulls history, per NBA.
Rose’s path to that moment began against steep odds. Chicago entered the 2008 NBA Draft lottery with just a 1.7 percent chance at the top pick. When the ping-pong balls fell their way, the Bulls selected the Englewood native who grew up sharpening his game on blacktops like Murray Park.
On draft night, Rose captured the emotion of the moment simply. Playing in his hometown, at the highest level, felt unreal. LeBron James, who experienced a similar hometown draft moment, called it a story no scriptwriter could top.
Kevin Durant Reflects on Rose’s Impact
For Kevin Durant, Rose was never just another opponent. Durant recalled hearing projections about Rose’s greatness when he was only 13 years old, expectations that followed him for years. Watching Rose reach the league, live up to those standards, and now see his jersey retired earned Durant’s full respect. He summed it up plainly, saying he has nothing but love for D-Rose and noting how widely Rose is respected across the basketball community.
“I remember one coach saying, “This dude is going to be the best player in the league.” He was 13 when they were saying that. That was the projection. So to see him come out, live up to expectations as a player, get his jersey honored and retired, and be loved across the basketball community… I’ve got nothing but love for D-Rose.”
“I don’t want to compare, but like how MJ made a lot of people feel, I feel like Derrick Rose made a lot of people feel that way.”
That respect flows both ways. When asked last year to build his ideal current NBA lineup, Rose placed Durant right in the middle of it, per Fadeaway World. He paired Stephen Curry and Anthony Edwards in the backcourt, slotted Durant on the wing, LeBron at the four, and Nikola Jokic at center.
A Chicago Story Sealed in the Rafters
Rose’s Bulls tenure did not last forever. After the team fell short in the 2015 East Semifinals and missed the playoffs the following season, Chicago moved on, sending Rose to New York. His career continued with stops in Cleveland, Minnesota, Detroit, and Memphis, eventually ending in the city where he played college basketball years earlier.
After announcing his retirement on Sept. 26, 2024, the Bulls honored Rose with a celebration night on Jan. 4, 2025, before confirming his jersey would be retired during the 2025–26 season. His No. 1 now joins those of Jordan, Pippen, Bob Love, and Jerry Sloan, making Rose the fifth Bull to receive the honor.
For Rose, the moment is less about comparison and more about community. He has spoken openly about growing up under heavy expectations and learning to treat them as challenges rather than burdens. On Saturday, the hometown kid becomes a permanent part of Chicago’s basketball skyline.
Kevin Durant Sends Message on Derrick Rose Ahead of Bulls Jersey Retirement