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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

Over his more than 20-year tenure in the NBA, LeBron James has cultivated friendships and connections with a diverse range of individuals. These relationships span across generations of NBA players and extend to non-athletic figures who have left their mark on the league. Among those connections is Derrick Rose, who, over a decade ago, earned the distinction of being the youngest MVP in NBA history, surpassing even LeBron James. Despite the competition, Rose and James share a mutual respect that has endured through the years.

Whether it’s Derrick Rose acknowledging LeBron James’ legendary status or LeBron James reminding fans of the incredible capabilities of a prime Derrick Rose, the two consistently take opportunities to speak highly of each other; showcasing the depth of their enduring camaraderie.

LeBron James briefly ignores play to dap up Derrick Rose

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A heartwarming display of sportsmanship unfolded during the Los Angeles Lakers game against the Memphis Grizzlies. With the Lakers enjoying a 42-32 lead early in the second quarter, LeBron James found himself near the Grizzlies bench, awaiting the resumption of play. Upon spotting Derrick Rose on the sidelines, James took a brief pause to dap up his former teammate before refocusing on the game.

LeBron James and Derrick Rose share a history of being both rivals and teammates. In the early days of Rose’s career, he was considered one of the most challenging matchups for James. This was primarily due to his unparalleled athleticism and speed. In a twist of fate, the two later joined forces as part of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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As the halftime buzzer approached, LeBron James had already bounced back from his disappointing 12-point performance in the last game. Moreover, the Lakers find themselves in a commanding position, leading the Grizzlies by a double-digit margin.

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LBJ’s favorite Bulls’ play came against DRose’s squad

Residing in Eastern Conference teams at the beginning of their career, LeBron James and Derrick Rose engaged in numerous intense battles against each other. Despite LeBron ultimately having the upper hand over Rose’s squad, their matchups stood out for the heightened intensity they brought to the court.

When questioned about his favorite play against the Chicago Bulls, LeBron James promptly recalled the playoff buzzer-beater he executed on Jimmy Butler in 2015 to even the playoff series. Intriguingly, the clutch game-winner by James came just two days after Derrick Rose had hit a three-pointer at the buzzer, giving Chicago a 2-1 series lead.

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As is often the case in their playoff encounters, LeBron James and the Cavaliers advanced to the next round, maintaining their dominance. However, the brilliance of Derrick Rose ensured that the series remained nothing short of spectacular.