There was scarcely a dry eye inside the United Center on Saturday night as the Chicago Bulls No. 1 banner ascended to the rafters, immortalizing the legacy of a hometown hero who gave the city everything he had. For Derrick Rose, the Englewood native who captivated the basketball world as the youngest NBA MVP in history, the ceremony was a powerful validation of a journey marked by dizzying highs and devastating lows. Surrounded by the teammates who went to war with him during the grit-and-grind era under Tom Thibodeau, Rose delivered a raw, emotional message to the faithful fans: "I cry every day."

The Return of the 'Thibs-Era' Bulls

The Derrick Rose jersey retirement ceremony felt less like a formal procedure and more like a family reunion. The United Center floor was populated not just by dignitaries, but by the very soldiers who defined the Bulls' identity in the early 2010s. Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, and Taj Gibson—the core of the squad that once challenged the league's superteams—stood side-by-side with their former general, head coach Tom Thibodeau.

"When people talk about all the minutes, all the injuries, everything we went through, that's our trophy, man," Deng said in a tearful tribute, gesturing to the bond between the players. It was a poignant reminder of a team that, while falling short of a championship, captured the city's heart with their relentless hustle and defensive intensity. Thibodeau, known for his stoic demeanor, broke character to heap praise on his former point guard, declaring, "The next stop is the Hall of Fame, and there is no doubt about that."

"I Am The City": A Speech from the Heart

When Rose took the microphone for the United Center ceremony, the roar from the 21,000 in attendance was deafening—a sound reminiscent of his MVP season in 2011. Yet, the man of the hour deflected the praise. "This journey was never about me," Rose insisted, his voice cracking with emotion. "It was about creating a synergy that somehow people from the city could pull from."

Rose spoke candidly about his connection to Chicago, a bond that transcends basketball. "I am the city," he told the crowd, acknowledging the struggles and the grit required to make it out of Chicago's South Side. He even addressed the visceral image of his career-altering ACL injury in 2012, displaying the photo on the jumbotron not as a tragedy, but as a pivotal chapter in his story of resilience. It was a moment of vulnerability that underscored why Rose remains one of the most beloved Bulls franchise legends.

Youngest MVP: A Legacy Cemented

While the night was filled with nostalgia, it also served as a history lesson on Rose's indelible on-court impact. Derrick Rose career highlights played on the massive screens, showcasing the explosive athleticism that made him a global icon. In 2011, at just 22 years old, Rose became the youngest NBA MVP, averaging 25.0 points and 7.7 assists while leading the Bulls to a league-best 62 wins.

His No. 1 jersey now hangs alongside Michael Jordan's No. 23 and Scottie Pippen's No. 33, joining an exclusive club of players who defined eras of Chicago basketball. Video tributes poured in from legends like Jordan, Pippen, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry, all testifying to the fear Rose struck in opponents during his prime. "You've really represented the city of Chicago... very well," Jordan said in his message, a seal of approval from the greatest to ever do it.

The "What If" Remains

The celebration inevitably touched on the "what could have been" questions that have shadowed Rose's career since his first major knee injury. Yet, the overwhelming sentiment of the night was not regret, but gratitude. Rose's ability to reinvent himself after multiple surgeries—evolving from a high-flying slasher to a savvy veteran mentor—was celebrated as a different kind of greatness, one rooted in perseverance.

A Current Victory with Echoes of the Past

Fittingly, the current iteration of the Bulls honored Rose in the best way possible: with a gritty win. Following the emotional ceremony, the Bulls defeated the reigning champion Boston Celtics 114-111, moving to a 23-22 record. It was a victory that required the kind of toughness Rose instilled in the franchise culture over a decade ago.

As NBA news 2026 continues to unfold, this night will stand out as a definitive moment for the franchise. It bridged the gap between the golden era of the 90s, the resurgence of the Rose era, and the uncertain present. For one night, however, the focus was solely on the kid from Englewood who dared to be great.

As the banner settled into its permanent home in the rafters, Rose hugged his son, London, who was visibly emotional—a touching father-son moment that capped a perfect evening. Derrick Rose may not have brought a championship trophy to Chicago, but as Luol Deng noted, the memories, the passion, and the jersey hanging above the court are trophies in their own right. The "Windy City Assassin" is finally home.