“He was UNTOUCHABLE,” Paul George recalls the task of guarding prime Derrick Rose in his first NBA playoffs

Paul George recently reflected on guarding the "untouchable" Derrick Rose

“He was UNTOUCHABLE,” Paul George recalls the task of guarding prime Derrick Rose in his first NBA playoffs

Derrick Rose & Paul George (image via Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports)

Derrick Rose, a top pick in the 2008 NBA draft, quickly became a notable player in the league. At just 21 years old, he became an All-Star while averaging impressive statistics in points, rebounds, and assists. His exceptional skills and talent made him a difficult opponent for other players to face, with some even feigning injury to avoid guarding him.

In 2011, he earned the title of NBA’s youngest MVP after leading the Chicago Bulls to the top seed in the East, surpassing famous players like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, cementing his legendary status among basketball fans.

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George said,“That year, bro, he was untouchable. And I felt like I played good against him. and I look at the box score, 40.”

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One of the best two-way players in the game, Paul George, despite his reputation as a top defender, George found himself struggling against Derrick Rose, who scored an impressive 40 points.

Throughout his 13-year career, Paul George has gone up against some truly great players. George has always been a strong defensive player, as his ability to defend both guards and forwards has made him a weapon for the various teams he has played for. George recently discussed the difficulty that came with defending Rose during his MVP campaign in the 2010-11 season as a rookie, labeling the legendary guard as “untouchable”.

Sadly, Rose’s career was cut short due to a series of knee injuries that began in the 2011-2012 season. Despite his setbacks, he continued to fight and make the most of his opportunities. He was a Sixth Man of the Year contender in the 2020-21 season while leading the Knicks bench and even managed to put up impressive numbers in the team’s post-season. 

This year Rose was involved off the bench in the regular season, but has had little to do during the playoffs so far with the Knicks not needing him while dispatching the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1. The Knicks now go into their playoff semifinals against Miami Heat, and according to the latest NBA odds, they’re the betting favourites at -180. 

Related: NBA veteran Andre Iguodala DECLARES Kevin Durant and Paul George as the most talented players, calls them ‘flawless’

Derrick Rose’s Tragic Turnaround and Comeback

Derrick Rose (image via Noah K. Murray-NY Post)

Following his outstanding MVP performance, Rose encountered issues with his left knee, leading him to participate in only 39 games in the 2011-2012 season compared to his previous three seasons where he played 78 games or more. In the 2012 playoffs game against the Sixers, he ruptured his ACL and endured multiple injuries that prevented him from securing a starting spot on any team he joined.

Despite these setbacks, Rose refused to give up on his dream of playing in the NBA. He worked tirelessly to rehab his injuries and make a comeback. His perseverance paid off when he was signed by the New York Knicks in 2021. He quickly became a fan favorite and showed that he still had what it takes to compete at the highest level.

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Rose’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination. Despite facing numerous setbacks and injuries, he continued to work hard and fight for his place in the league. His story serves as an inspiration to anyone who has ever faced adversity and struggled to achieve their goals.

As far as stats are concerned, Derrick Rose played 14 seasons for 5 teams, including the Bulls and Knicks. He has averaged 17.7 points, 5.3 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 699 regular-season games. He was selected to play in 3 All-Star games. He has won the Rookie of the Year award and 1 MVP award.

Ranks sixth in points, fourth in the number of assists, 13th in minutes and 16th in games played among those with whom he was drafted. He and Russell Westbrook are the only two Kia MVP winners from that group, with Kevin Love, Brook Lopez, Eric Gordon, Goran Dragic and Danilo Gallinari lining up in order after that for peak value and career impact. However, the heartbreaking thing with Rose, of course, was that his trajectory was pitched so much higher. He had a meteoric start which was rather expected — Kia Rookie of the Year, three All-Star appearances, the MVP season, all marked by his lightning speed and vertical bursts above the rim that too in his first four years.

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