The Chicago Bulls announced they’re retiring Derrick Rose’s jersey, making him the first player in two decades to receive that honor. That’s a sign the last two decades haven’t been great for the franchise. Rose, who won the 2011 NBA MVP as a member of the Bulls, will have his No. 1 jersey raised to the rafters of the United Center Jan. 24. That’s just shy of 20 years after the Bulls retired Scottie Pippen’s No. 33 jersey in February 2006. That’s a long stretch without honoring a player, but the Bulls haven’t had much success since Pippen left the team after the 1997-98 season. With Pippen and Michael Jordan, the Bulls won six titles in eight seasons. Since then, the team has reached the Eastern Conference Finals only once in 27 seasons. Rose did play for that conference finalist in 2011, but played just 406 games for the Bulls in eight seasons, including one year when he sat out entirely after tearing his ACL in the 2012 playoffs. He was great for his first four seasons, winning Rookie of the Year and makinRead More
Bulls’ jersey retirement emblematic of franchise’s rut
