There have been plenty of beloved players to come through the halls of Target Center over the years. Minnesota Timberwolves fans will always consider players like Kevin Garnett and Kevin Love as some of the best in franchise history. Others like Ricky Rubio still have a place in the hearts of Wolves fans for different reasons.
Of course, guys currently on the roster like Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards figure to be among the most beloved Timberwolves of all-time someday as well. It also stands to reason that if Minnesota wins a championship, anyone associated with that team will be engrained in the hearts of Minnesotans forever.
But there is one other player who, although he did not spend a tremendous amount of time in a Timberwolves uniform, is still looked upon as one of the most loved players in at least recent franchise history. That player is Derrick Rose, who played for Minnesota during the 2018-19 NBA season.
Wolves fans have plenty of memories of Rose from that one season. On Thursday, Derrick officially announced that he would be retiring from the NBA after a 16-season career. His announcement was of course followed by thousands of fans wishing him well in his journey on social media.
Derrick Rose career-high 50, Halloween Night 2018 pic.twitter.com/1lAlBSkG6G
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) September 26, 2024
Derrick Rose announced his retirement
Rose has a truly unique story. After being drafted by his hometown Chicago Bulls in 2009, Derrick became an All-Star in his rookie year before becoming the youngest league MVP in NBA history in his second season.
The hype surrounding Rose was absolutely tremendous, but the crazier part is that he was basically living up to all the expectations. He was one of the best players in the league in just his second year, and looking to bring the Bulls back to the promised land. But then came the first round of the 2012 playoffs, in which Rose sustained a torn ACL in Game 1 against the Philadelphia 76ers.
This would unfortunately be the beginning of an array of knee injuries that became a serious detriment to Derrick and his ability to play at a high level in the NBA. But knowing how many were looking up to him, Rose persevered and still managed to carve out a 16-year career in spite of his various injuries.
Timberwolves fans will always remember Halloween night in 2018, when Derrick dropped an unbelievable 50 points against the Utah Jazz at Target Center. An emotional postgame interview ensued, where Rose was brought to tears over having such a big moment after all he went through.
Derrick Rose will always be remembered in the hearts of fans in Minnesota. He may have only donned the Timberwolves uniform for one season, but his story is forever intertwined with that of the franchise's.