Bulls welcome rookie Rose with flowery tribute
A year ago, when the Bulls drafted Joakim Noah with a pick obtained from the New York Knicks, one point of discussion was how it was important to select an impact player, because it would be the team's last lottery pick for a while.
That logic seemed reasonable at the time. The Bulls were coming off a 49-win season and had young players with room to grow.
No one would have dreamed what was in store. A disappointing 33-49 season, then beating 1.7-percent odds in the draft lottery led to Monday's scene -- the introduction of Chicago native Derrick Rose, the freshman point guard from Memphis, chosen with the top pick of last Thursday's NBA draft.
More Coverage Video Derrick Rose press conference
"I'm truly blessed," Rose said, with his No. 1 Bulls jersey folded on a table in front of him. "Everything has just been like a dream come true. My whole life is like a dream. In high school, I did great. My past has been great. This just tops it off - I'm playing at the highest level of basketball and it's in my hometown. I really can't believe it right now."
The news conference was held at the Chicago Stadium Club inside the United Center, and the Bulls used the theme of the day to decorate the room, placing a Rose on every chair as well as positioning two vases of flowers on either side of the podium.
A Rose highlight video, complete with an up-to-date rap accompaniment, played nearby on the arena scoreboard.
"It's been exhausting, going out with my family after the draft and my agent, meeting new people, then coming home and going to the White Sox game (Friday) to throw out the first pitch," Rose said of his post-draft itinerary. "It's overwhelming, you get exhausted. The last couple days, I've just been sleeping and hanging out with my family."
Rose finally admitted that he knew of the Bulls' plans when the draft began last week in New York.
"I knew it at the table, but I was still so nervous that (Commissioner David Stern) was going to say a 'B' before he said a 'D,'" Rose said with a laugh, referring to No. 2 pick Michael Beasley. "I was so nervous when David Stern came out, you wouldn't believe it."
Bulls general manager John Paxson again emphasized that Rose will take time to develop, being just 19 years old and playing a position of great responsibility.
"He's got a lot to learn," Paxson said. "The NBA game is different, and the point guard position especially is a hard one to learn. You have control of that basketball most of the time. He's going to make mistakes along the way, but we're going to live with those because we know at some point in time, he's going to blossom here like he did in Memphis."
Cautious might be one buzzword, but new head coach Vinny Del Negro also talked about building an offense around Rose's talents.
"Derrick has all the physical tools, the athletic ability," Del Negro said. "The way I want to play is obviously get the ball in his hands and push it up the court, try to make other guys effective. Run high screen-and-rolls, side screen-and-rolls and get guys as easy baskets as we can. Make the game fun."
Two of Rose's new teammates were on hand Monday. Tyrus Thomas watched the news conference, and Thabo Sefolosha stopped by after it ended to greet the rookie.
Rose will get on the court quickly. The Bulls' summer-league squad will hold its first practice Thursday evening at the Berto Center, then play the first of five games at the Orlando league next Monday against Beasley and the Miami Heat,
Paxson said several veterans will join Rose in Florida, including Thomas, Noah, Aaron Gray, Demetris Nichols and JamesOn Curry. Sefolosha has been working out at the Berto Center, but leaves today for a visit to Switzerland.
Rose grew up on Chicago's South Side in the Englewood neighborhood. His three older brothers and mother Brenda were on hand to watch the formal introduction, as was his agent, former Bulls guard B.J. Armstrong.
When asked if he can handle being the Bulls' lone rookie next season and the chores that come with the position, Rose referred to his siblings.
"I'm cool with that," he said. "I'm the younger brother with three older brothers. I've had to do that stuff all my life. I don't mind it, but I feel bad for the next rookie."