When it comes to Derrick Rose, you’d think the Chicago Bulls would have his jersey hanging in the rafters by now, right? I mean, the guy only won an MVP, dragged the team through a broken-down bus of injuries, and made the phrase “from Chicago” sound like a superhero origin story. But nope, here we are in 2024, and the Bulls are still undecided. One person who isn’t undecided? Alex Bazzell, husband of WNBA star Napheesa Collier, who is apparently just as baffled as the rest of us mere mortals.
Rose, who announced his retirement after 16 rollercoaster years on Sept. 26—just three days after being let go by the Memphis Grizzlies—will be honored by the Bulls on Jan. 4 in a game against the Knicks. Now, before you get excited about any grand jersey retirement ceremony, pump the brakes. The Bulls made it clear that it’ll be a night of tributes, tears, and all the heartwarming stuff, but no number-1-in-the-rafters moment. Oh, and his former coach, Tom Thibodeau, will be there too, but don’t expect a coaching cameo for the Bulls.
“Drafting Derrick in 2008 was a special moment, not just for the Bulls organization, but for Derrick, the kid from Chicago, realizing his dream of playing for his hometown team,” said Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf, in what we assume was the 89th official statement praising Rose’s grit and resilience. It’s like they love him, but also… maybe not that much?
“Can We Just Talk About Retiring the Jersey Already?”
Apparently, Alex Bazzell decided enough was enough and took to X (formerly Twitter, if you’re still hanging onto that). Bazzell, who is known for both his basketball expertise and epic social media comebacks, chimed in on the never-ending debate over whether Rose’s number should be retired. “The only discussion should be where it’s located in the rafters…” Bazzell tweeted, serving up that lovely combination of sarcasm and truth. It’s like asking if pizza is good; the real debate is where the best slice is, not whether it deserves to exist.
Let’s Recap the Derrick Rose Rollercoaster
In case you’ve been living under a rock (or are a Minnesota Timberwolves fan still pretending to care), Rose played seven seasons with the Bulls, from 2008 to 2015. He was the youngest MVP in NBA history in 2011, at just 22 years and six months. But then, as if the Basketball Gods said, “Nah, you’ve had enough fun,” his career got derailed by injuries, starting with the infamous ACL tear in 2012. Despite bouncing around the league with stops at the Knicks, Cavaliers, Timberwolves, Pistons, and Grizzlies, Rose still remains a Chicago legend.
Alex Bazzell Knows Clutch Moments
Speaking of basketball greatness, let’s not forget Bazzell’s other claim to fame: being Napheesa Collier’s biggest fanboy. When Collier knocked down a game-winning shot in overtime to lead the Minnesota Lynx to victory in Game 1 of the 2024 WNBA Finals, Bazzell dropped the mic with a four-word reaction on X: “My wife is HER.”
And if that doesn’t sound like the most wholesome—and simultaneously savage—thing a husband can say about his WNBA superstar wife, we don’t know what does. But can you blame him? Coming back from an 18-point deficit against the New York Liberty to win 95-93 in overtime? Even Derrick Rose would have shed a tear (ACL intact or not).
Bazzell and Collier, by the way, are practically basketball royalty. They’ve been together since she was a junior at UConn and married on Oct. 7, 2022. Their daughter, Mila Sarah, is probably already working on her step-back jumper.
So, Chicago Bulls, take notes from Alex Bazzell: Stop waffling and give Derrick Rose his well-deserved spot in the rafters. After all, the man put the city on his back—before his knees gave out.
