Nobody knew Derrick Rose as a player on the court more than his seven-year teammate Joakim Noah. Seven of Noah’s eight seasons in Chicago were with Rose, while all seven of Rose’s were with Noah, including 19 playoff wins and a Conference Finals appearance. The two also combined for five All-Star nods, one MVP award, one Rookie of the Year honor, one Defensive Player of the Year trophy, and two NBA All-First team nominations during their time together with the Bulls. With the recent retirement announcement from his long-time running mate, Noah recently posted on Instagram and let him know that the relationship goes far beyond the court.
Speaking For All Bulls Faithful
Joakim Noah has bled Chicago Bulls nearly as much as Derrick Rose. Another fan favorite and gritty legend, Noah knew the way Chicagoans operated and embodied that toughness between the lines. Enclosed in the message he posted to Rose, several of his messages reflect the point of view shared by Bulls fans everywhere, like mentioning that “you always represented hope, in human form.” His heartfelt words continued onto their relationship, like a brotherhood, outside of basketball and the joy he shared for his friend. For many, Rose and Noah were the most iconic Bulls duo since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
A Kid From Chicago
Rose’s legend in the Windy City started well before his days in the United Center. Chicago-bred and only having moved for college in Memphis, it was destiny that the Bulls would bring home the explosive point guard with their first overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft. Noah’s entire career would transform that day, and the two became the latest immortal Chicago Bulls.
While neither one will likely be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, they’ll both likely be awarded a spot in the Bulls’ Ring of Honor. Noah was named a team ambassador shortly after signing his one-day contract to retire in a Bulls uniform. Rose’s retirement ceremony in Chicago will be sometime during the 2024-25 campaign, with speculation that it’ll be January 4th, 2025, when his former head coach, Tom Thibodeau, will be in town with the New York Knicks. His number will likely hang in the rafters as the last MVP the franchise has seen and one of only two that have ever won the award in a Bulls’ uniform.
It doesn’t get much more authentic than reading one of Rose’s best friends and longest-tenured teammates saying farewell to his playing career, and it feels like the closure of the most recent exciting chapter of Chicago basketball.
