The Windy City loves its basketball stars. And it is proving that once again. In the wake of Derrick Rose’s retirement announcement this September, fans and former players are calling on the Chicago Bulls to immortalize one of their own. This push reached new heights as NBA veterans are making claims to make it possible.

During the recent segment of the ‘Run it Back TV‘, Michelle Beadle brought up the recent statement by Kevin Garnett who claimed that the ‘Windy City Assassin’ should get a statue of his own. She then asked the former NBA player Lou Williams if Garnett’s statement had any weight or not which the 38-year-old justified in just seconds.

“I’m buying it and I say that because Chicago statues are Chicago Statues and when you talk about Derrick Rose, since Michael Jordan no one has electrified and united the city of Chicago the way that Derrick Rose had the impact that he has had. So we talk about statues, the world can feel. However, they want to feel about it but Chicago, Illinois, Derrick Rose absolutely should get a statue,” said Williams during the segment.

Derrick Rose was a Chicago legend during his time with the Bulls and left behind moments that the fans remember to this day. Drafted first overall in 2008, Rose was immediately heralded as the hometown hero who could lift the Bulls to greatness once more. Rose’s incredible MVP season in 2011, the youngest MVP in NBA history at 22 marked him as one of the most talented players in the league. That season, he averaged 25.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game and made the Bulls go 62-20 with the best regular season record in the league.

“A D-Rose statue in Chicago, it doesn’t have to be on Mike’s side, Mike needs to have his own s—t. To grow up in Chicago and to dominate Chicago basketball with the Bulls DNA,” said Garnett during an episode of KG Certified.

As for Jordan’s statue, in 1994, the Chicago Bulls honored Michael Jordan with a statue outside the United Center, an iconic tribute that has become a landmark for fans worldwide. Crafted by Omri Amrany and Julie Rotblatt-Amrany, Jordan’s statue captures him mid-air in a powerful pose that symbolizes his towering presence in basketball and his six championships with the Bulls.

The Jordan statue set a standard, becoming a template for excellence so if the Bulls ever decide to erect a D-Rose statue, they would have to keep this in mind.

If anyone else deserves that same honor, it’s Derrick Rose. Despite a career cut short by injuries, Rose remains a beloved figure whose impact on Chicago is still felt. He was the pride of the South Side, a young star who brought back memories of Bulls dominance. We can say the question of if D-Rose will ever get a statue or if the Windy City will ever officially give the man tribute will take some to answer but however the 36-year old during his retirement made sure that he showed gratitude to his fans in a perfect way.

The way Derrick Rose thanked his fans

As mentioned before, Rose announced his retirement on September 26th from the NBA after a 16-year playing career and thanked the sport of basketball for taking out advertisements in the local papers of the cities he played for.

The 36-year-old even made an Instagram post in which he could be seen holding a newspaper. The front page of the paper had the message that Rose wanted to convey to his fans printed in gold color.

“Thank You, My First Love… You believed in me through the highs and lows, my constant when everything else seemed uncertain. You showed me what love truly meant. You turned the court into my sanctuary, a home where I could express myself freely… Forever yours, Derrick Rose,” read the message.

It was found that Rose took out ads in the Denver Fre Press, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Commercial Appeal, Cleveland Plain Dealer, and Minneapolis Star Tribune. Not only this, but Rose sent out bouquets of 16 flowers to those who were most formative to him throughout his career. This creative, sincere approach deepened the bond between Derrick Rose and his fan base and peers showcasing a unique way athletes can connect with those who stand by them.