National Basketball Association

New York Knicks: Derrick Rose Honored To Play For Phil Jackson

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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New York Knicks point guard Derrick Rose is ecstatic to be a part of team president Phil Jackson’s vision. He’s shocked to even have Jackson’s number.

Phil Jackson was the head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 to 1998. During that time, he led the Bulls to six NBA championships and seven Eastern Conference Finals appearances.

Having grown up in Chicago, Illinois, Derrick Rose has a unique perspective on the honor that is being acquired by Jackson.

Prior to the summer of 2016, Rose had been one of the most heavily scrutinized players in the NBA. Jackson looked past what the critics were saying and gave Rose a chance to prove himself during his contract year.

According to Drew Ruiz of SLAM Online, Rose can’t even believe he was given Jackson’s phone number.

It’s Phil Jackson, man. I can’t believe I even got his number, bro. I’m from Chicago so his resume speaks for itself with Chicago people and we just know his history with the Lakers. If anything, me being the part of what he’s creating, I think it should be something special. His resume speaks for itself. I know some good will come out of it.”

Jackson certainly left a lasting legacy behind in Chicago.

Aside from Red Auerbach’s Celtics in the 1960s, no team has dominated a decade like Jackson’s Bulls. Chicago won the NBA championship in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998.

Jackson led Chicago to the Eastern Conference Finals in 1990, the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 1994 and 1995, and wasn’t the coach of the Bulls in 1999.

Furthermore, Michael Jordan retired prior to the 1993-94 season. Despite failing to find an adequate replacement, Jackson helped the Bulls reach Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks.

That was in spite of Scottie Pippen benching himself for the final possession of Chicago’s Game 3 victory.

In 1994-95, Jordan returned from retirement, but played in just 17 regular season games. In other words, when Jordan was active and not rusty, Jackson led the Bulls to six titles in seven seasons.

One can only imagine how surreal it is for Rose to be playing for the organization run by one of the men he likely idolized while growing up in Chicago.