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Bulls Retire Derrick Rose’s No. 1, Elevating Hometown MVP to Franchise Pantheon

The ceremony doubled as a legacy reckoning that featured Rose’s dismissal of blame placed on Tom Thibodeau alongside a public Hall of Fame endorsement.

Overview

  • The Bulls raised Rose’s No. 1 to the United Center rafters after a win over Boston, making him the fifth player in franchise history with a retired number.
  • A sold‑out crowd saw video tributes from LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with commemorative T‑shirts on every seat and a banner featuring eight roses.
  • In an emotional address, Rose emphasized his bond with Chicago and bluntly rejected the narrative that Tom Thibodeau’s coaching caused his injuries.
  • Former coach Tom Thibodeau praised Rose’s leadership and told the crowd the “next stop” for the former MVP is the Hall of Fame.
  • Teammates Taj Gibson, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah spoke to his impact, as the ceremony highlighted Rose’s résumé as a No. 1 pick, Rookie of the Year, three‑time All‑Star and the youngest MVP in NBA history.