Rose gets a promise from Obama
Derrick Rose visited a fundraiser for President Barack Obama and spoke briefly to the crowd on Thursday at Navy Pier.
He also secured a commitment for another visit from the team’s First Fan at a future date.
“Finals. If we make it, he’ll definitely be there,” Rose said Friday at the Berto Center. “I’ll make sure I hold him to his word.”
At the fundraiser, Rose made an interesting comment about where Obama, a noted pickup basketball enthusiast, might fit into the Bulls’ lineup.
“We’re kind of sad that Obama is doing everything right now, because we need a starting two-guard for the playoffs,” Rose told the crowd. “We’ll have to deal with it.”
Presumably, the comment was meant to praise Obama’s basketball skills, not bash the talents of Keith Bogans, who started all 82 games at shooting guard this season and averaged 4.4 points.
Rose said Friday he didn’t think Bogans heard him say the comment about needing a two guard.
Center Joakim Noah also attended the fundraiser and got to spend a little time with the president.
“It was unbelievable,” Noah said. “I really respect the president. He’s somebody I really admire a lot, coming from a lot of different cultures. Being able to hear him speak like that in front of 1,000 people, it’s pretty incredible how good he is at doing that. And how big a fan he is of the Bulls. He’s always showing his support to us. It’s pretty cool.”
So Obama wasn’t totally focused on Rose, huh? He also chatted with Noah?
“He’s sensitive about things like that,” Noah said.
Rose doesn’t hesitate:Some sports figures are reluctant to take a political stand, but Derrick Rose didn#146;t hesitate when asked to attend the fundraiser for President Barack Obama.#147;It#146;s a must. The president has a great following here, a great campaign here,#148; he said. #147;I remember seeing him in the Bud Billiken Parade when nobody knew him. His foundation is here. I just wanted to show him support because he#146;s a fan of the Chicago Bulls and a fan of me.#147;Just showing my face, that#146;s what I wanted to do. I know if I had something, and he had time to come, he would definitely come. That probably will never happen. But if I asked, he#146;d probably come.#148;Pacers thinking defense:As No. 8 seed Indiana prepares to face the Bulls on Saturday at the United Center, one focus is the opposing defense.#147;As big of a weapon as Derrick Rose is, their defense might be their No. 1 option,#148; Pacers forward Mike Dunleavy said, according to the Indianapolis Star. #147;We know we have our work cut out for us with their defense.#148;The Bulls rank first in the NBA in defensive field-goal percentage and second in points allowed. In three of four games against the Bulls this season, Indiana scored 89 points or less.#147;People underestimate their defense,#148; point guard Darren Collison said. #147;If it wasn#146;t for Tom Thibodeau and their defense, I don#146;t think they would be in the position they#146;re in now. I know everybody is talking about D-Rose, but their defense is just as good.#148; 29502668President Barack Obama wears a Chicago Bulls basketball cap after speaking at a DNC fundraiser at Navy Pier in Chicago, Thursday, April 14, 2011. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)