It’s official: Derrick Rose becomes the youngest player in history to be named regular season MVP
After months of speculation and rumours, the National Basketball Association (NBA) finally announced earlier today, that Derrick Rose has won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Rose was the downright favourite for the award this season and the win comes as little surprise because of Rose’s outstanding performances.
D-Rose has had a remarkable season, leading his team to an amazing record of 62-20 in the regular season. Derrick was among the top ten ranked players for both assists and points, the only player to do so this season. The third-year point guard averaged 25.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists in the regular season. His numbers have picked up further in the playoffs.
Rose is the first Chicago Bulls player since NBA icon Michael Jordan to win this prestigious award. Michael won five MVP’s during his illustrious career. Derrick Rose, who is a Chicago native, however played down any comparisons
"I'm not even touching that man right there," Rose said. "I'm far away from him. If anything, it would be great to be close to him. This is a different team, a different era."
Chicago’s fortunes have also looked up for the first time after Jordan’s retirement in 1998. The team has transformed from perennial ‘also-rans’ into genuine title contenders this season, under the guidance of rookie coach Tom Thibodeau and the leadership of Derrick Rose.
The impact that Rose has had on the team cannot be overstated. Rose was the first pick by Chicago in the 2008 NBA Draft. He immediately made his mark, winning the Rookie of the Year award in his first season. The following year saw Derrick battle with some injuries. However, he was still good enough to make it into the All-Star game. This year he has topped it all, beating off competition from two time reigning MVP LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Dwight “Superman” Howard among others.
Derrick Rose has also become the youngest ever winner of the MVP award at just 22 years of age. The previous owner of this record was Wes Unseld of the Baltimore Bullets, who won the award as a 23 year old in his rookie year.
Having shown his desire for the coveted individual award earlier in the season, Derrick Rose was very pleased with the win. Rose thanked everyone for their support, including the fans, his teammates, coach, backroom staff and brother. However special praise was reserved for Brenda Rose, his mother,
“Just thinking how hard she works,” he said. “Those are hard days. My days shouldn’t be hard because I love what I’m doing. That’s playing basketball. You keep me going every day and I love you.”
His teammates were gushing with praise for the young star. Luol Deng stated that the speed of Rose’s ascendency had even caught them off guard, “It’s a big surprise for all of us how quick he got there. We knew he was going to get there; we said that from the start. He’s just a hard worker, a humble kid. He’s really out there just to win games.”
Tom Thibodeau added, “He’s been everything you could ask for, He’s been a leader, a player. He’s only going to get better.”
Rose will be formally presented with the MVP trophy in front of his home crowd at the United Center before the Bulls take on the Atlanta Hawks in game-2 of their Eastern Conference semi-final series.
Tags: