Everybody loves Derrick Rose. Even despite his injuries and setbacks in his career in which have never seen him reach his MVP playing level again, people throughout the league and especially NBA fans still (and always have) adore(d) him. He was one of the most feared offensive players in the association, and now remains a solid fan favorite throughout NBA fan bases.

I believe NBA fans want him to succeed so badly because of what he’s been through. I think it’s fair to say that Rose’s struggles throughout his career are relatable to the struggles individuals face in their everyday life. That and the fact that he’s such a fierce competitor and never backs out from any challenge.

A few years back, Rose’s former Chicago teammate Joakim Noah revealed another story about Rose’s competitiveness, something that was already present in his rookie season. Per Sam Smith of Bulls.com:

“We are playing Phoenix with Vinny (Del Negro) as coach. Kirk was our best pick and roll defender and so Vinny goes, ‘Kirk, you got Steve Nash.’ And D-Rose is a rookie and goes, ‘Nah, I got Steve Nash. I’m not running from no matchup.’ And Vinny goes, ‘But Kirk is our best pick and roll defender, you got Barbosa.’ He goes, ‘Nah, I got Steve Nash.’

And so we’re like, ‘Oh crap, the rookie’s talking like that?’ Then in the game you see D-Rose standing next to Steve Nash. ‘I got him! I got him!’ Things like that, stuff we’d laugh at being on the plane, rolling dice with Drew Gooden; it was always more than just the basketball.”