After Derrick Rose’s Controversial Michael Jordan Take, Ex-Lakers Star Reveals Reason Behind Comment

“You guys are in store for a lot of other championships. You look at this team tonight. Don’t be surprised if you’re gonna have six more coming.” In 2011, Michael Jordan predicted Derrick Rose and the Bulls to add more titles under their belt. But it did not go as planned. The recently retired player even shared a bond with MJ, however, his recent comments have caused a stir. And a former player turned analyst is not on board with Rose’s comments.

“MJ was gonna be MJ, whether he was a Portland Trailblazer or a Cleveland Cavalier. Michael Jordan was gonna be Michael Jordan,” Lou Williams said on FanDuel TV. It was in response when Derrick Rose shared his admiration for His Airness. Rose said, “MJ wouldn’t be MJ if he played anywhere else but Chicago for his pro career. He would have been a great player anywhere else, but in Chicago, he became the ‘Black Cat.’”

Rose also stated that it was because of the strong basketball culture of the Windy City that Michael Jordan got to be one of the greatest. But former Lakers’ star Williams stated that city culture helps, but doesn’t dictate in terms of GOAT players. He even added, “Well, LeBron should be a case study.”

According to him, the 4x NBA Champion was able to perform at every franchise he has been a part of. In 2020, LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to win the Finals MVP with three different franchises. Notably, 2x with the Miami Heat, and one each with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Lakers.

So playing for different franchises or cities might affect certain players, but not Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Williams’ co-analyst on Run it Back even claimed that there was a possibility Michael Jordan could have been on a higher pedestal. Chandler Parsons said, “You can argue, he could have been greater, which is crazy to say.” But there is a reason why Rose highly rated the Chicago culture.

Why Derrick Rose felt about Michael Jordan

Derrick Rose hails from Englewood, Chicago, and even won the ROTY, thus the expectations from fans were on another level. Not to forget his youngest MVP record in league history in 2011. Describing the same experience and what he learned from Chicago’s basketball culture while growing up, the 36-year-old highlighted the issue.

“It’s pressure. It’s lot of pressure. Nah, I gotta talk for Chicago because a lot people when they talk for Chicago, they always mention like the bad s–t,” Rose spoke on the Club 520 Podcast. The pressure that Pooh felt can also be attached to his injury-ridden career as he contemplated retirement multiple times. Despite the pressure he felt, he was amazed by one of the greatest players of basketball when he visited his house.

“After I met them, after I went to that crib, it (the jinx feeling) went away. F–k that. I’m going to get that lifestyle.” A young Rose met MJ and his family and the feeling of self-doubt went away. After all, nobody understands the pressure from the Chicago crowd better than the 6x NBA Champion.