“You Needed All Five” – Celtics Legend Recalls Prime Derrick Rose Terrorizing Entire Teams, Outclassing Stephen Curry

Derrick Rose in his prime was a whole different player. With godly speed and explosives offensive tactics to play, Rose is simply one of the best until injuries begin to take a toll on him. The 35-year-old even considered retiring from the NBA last season. However, the impact he had on his opponents and games still lives fresh in people’s minds. Just recently, Celtics veteran Rajon Rando recalled what it was like to play against DRose.

While talking about Rose’s prime days, Rondo spoke about the thrilling NBA first-round series between the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics. “It was a dog fight man it was one of my favorite series I’ve ever played in shout out to D Rose one of my favorite players I’ve ever played against you know what I mean like he didn’t talk s**t he just let his game do the talking and he was a tough motherf****r to guard,” Rondo said during his latest appearance in the Club 520 Podcast.

When asked if Rose was the toughest to guard, Rajon seemed to mull over between Warriors star Stephen Curry. Ultimately, he seemingly gave up on Curry and said, “Yes and tough bro yes I mean you know you could say Steph but at the same time he was a monster as well but that particular time with D Rose you needed all five help like you had to all five guys had to have eyes on him.”

The rivalry between the duo in the 2008-09 NBA playoffs is well known to the fans. And it was evident in the seven-game series between the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls. Rose was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 2008. And even as a rookie, he ensured to make a loud noise to make his presence known. 

Rajon Rondo made basketball into a game of chess for Derrick Rose 

In his first-ever playoff game, D Rose dropped 36 points to stun the opponents. He also grabbed the 2008-09 Rookie of the Year title. During his time with the Bulls, he also won the 2010-11 league MVP. Following Bulls legend Michael Jordan, Rose became the youngest player to win the honor at the age of 22.

It wasn’t just Rondo who was amazed by Rose’s skills. The impression was reciprocated. The 3x NBA All-Star also stated that the former Celtics player was the toughest opponent, according to him. During an interview with Through the Wire, the former Bulls star was asked about the toughest PG matchup, and Rose named Rondo. “My toughest matchup is Rando…He made me think the game. It was chess, bruh, playing against him,” Rose said. 

As painful as it is, the 2011 MVP is no longer the killer player he used to be in his prime. It all began with an ACL tear in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2011, which was followed by numerous other injuries that stopped his dominance. Even now with the Memphis Grizzlies, he is struggling with the same issue.