Derrick Rose’s profession will all the time fall into the nice “what ifs” of NBA historical past.
Rose was the youngest MVP in league historical past, successful the award in 2010-11 on the age of twenty-two and main the Bulls to the perfect file within the NBA that 12 months. Only a few gamers in historical past have been in a position to match his athleticism. Nonetheless, Rose and the Bulls had been by no means the identical after he tore his ACL within the 2012 playoffs.
Rose nonetheless managed to play a complete of 16 seasons within the league, however he by no means got here shut to creating one other All-Star Recreation after 2012.
What would have occurred if Rose had by no means suffered so many accidents? May he have stored that promise and turn out to be one of many sport’s best guards with higher well being?
To seek out out, I requested ChatGPT to simulate Rose’s profession assuming he by no means had any severe accidents. Here is a glimpse of what might have been.
MORE: Why Derrick Rose determined to retire
What if Derrick Rose had by no means been injured?
Years 1 to three
ChatGPT stored Rose’s timeline the identical all through the primary three years of his profession, earlier than the accidents.
Rose received the Rookie of the 12 months award, made the All-Star Recreation in Years 2 and three of his profession, and received his MVP in 12 months 3. The Bulls had been eradicated by the Warmth within the Japanese Convention Finals, however regarded like a younger staff. with a giant championship window.
12 months 4
Precise statistics: 21.8 factors, 7.9 assists, 3.4 rebounds, All-Star (3x), First Crew All-NBA (1x)
Simulated statistics: 23.5 factors, 8.0 assists, 3.9 rebounds, All-Star (3x)
That is the place the timeline begins to diverge for Rose.
He was already starting to undergo accidents in the course of the common season, enjoying in simply 39 video games in 2011-12. This restricted his effectiveness in the course of the common season and he suffered his devastating ACL harm within the first spherical of the playoffs.
In our happier simulation, Rose continues her MVP-level scoring. The Bulls as soon as once more reached the Japanese Convention Finals in opposition to the Warmth, the place they had been eradicated for the second straight 12 months.
12 months 5
Precise statistics: Sitting all season
Simulated statistics: 22.0 factors, 7.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds, All-Star (4x)
In actual life, the controversy over how rapidly Rose would return from ACL surgical procedure ruined the entire 12 months for him. He sat out the playoffs, main a lot of the fan base to complain about him.
In ChatGPT’s simulation, Rose is on one other All-Star staff and is engaged on his poor 3-point taking pictures, hitting 36% from deep. The Bulls had been eradicated by the Knicks within the second spherical, led by a scorching sequence from Carmelo Anthony.
12 months 6
Precise statistics: 15.9 factors, 4.3 assists, 3.2 rebounds
Simulated statistics: 24.2 factors, 9.0 assists, 4.2 rebounds, All-Star (5x)
Rose makes one other All-Star sport and consolidates his function as a discreet chief and mentor. The Bulls make one other deep playoff run, as soon as once more reaching the Japanese Convention Finals earlier than shedding to the Pacers behind Paul George’s stifling Rose protection.
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12 months 7
Precise statistics: 17.7 factors, 4.9 assists, 3.2 rebounds
Simulated statistics: 26.1 factors, 8.5 assists, 5.0 rebounds, All-Star (6x)
This could have been Rose’s peak, on the age of 26.
In our simulation, Rose leads the league in a number of offensive classes, together with factors per sport and subject purpose share. The Bulls as soon as once more reached the Japanese Convention finals however had been eradicated by the Cavaliers staff of LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.
12 months 8
Precise statistics: 16.4 factors, 4.7 assists, 3.4 rebounds
Simulated statistics: 25.0 factors, 7.5 assists, 4.8 rebounds, All-Star (7x), First Crew All-NBA (2x)
Rose maintains his elite efficiency and leads the Bulls to an Japanese Convention Finals rematch with LeBron. The Cavs win in seven video games.
12 months 9
Precise statistics: 18.0 factors, 4.4 assists, 3.8 rebounds
Simulated statistics: 24.0 factors, 7.3 assists, 4.5 rebounds, All-Star (8x)
The Bulls meet the Cavs once more within the Japanese Convention Finals, this time shedding to the Cavs in six video games. That is the sixth time in 9 years that LeBron has eradicated Rose’s Bulls from the playoffs.
In actual life, Rose was traded to the Knicks earlier than his ninth season, ending his time with the Bulls.
12 months 10
Precise statistics: 8.4 factors, 1.5 assists, 1.4 rebounds
Simulated statistics: 23.0 factors, 7.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds, All-Star (9x)
Rose adapts his sport by specializing in playmaking and management somewhat than scoring. They had been eradicated by the Celtics in 5 video games, led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
12 months 11
Precise statistics: 18.0 factors, 4.3 assists, 2.7 rebounds
Simulated statistics: 22.0 factors, 6.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds, All-Star (10x)
Rose’s Bulls had been eradicated from the playoffs within the second spherical by a Giannis-led Bucks staff.
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12 months 12
Precise statistics: 18.1 factors, 5.6 assists, 2.4 rebounds
Simulated statistics: 21.5 factors, 7.2 assists, 4.3 rebounds, All-Star (11x)
The Bulls lastly break by means of, successful their first championship because the Jordan period. They beat the Lakers within the remaining, thus dethroning LeBron.
It is the most recent chapter in an era-defining rivalry and the primary time in seven tries that Rose has eradicated LeBron in a playoff sequence. This would be the final time both participant performs within the NBA Finals.
12 months 13
Precise statistics: 14.7 factors, 4.2 assists, 2.6 rebounds
Simulated statistics: 20.0 factors, 6.8 assists, 4.0 rebounds
Transitioning to a extra veteran function, Rose continues to contribute whereas serving to develop the Bulls’ younger expertise. They go 42-30, securing a playoff spot, however are eradicated within the second spherical by the Nets led by Kevin Durant, James Harden and Irving.
12 months 14
Precise statistics: 12.0 factors, 4.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds
Simulated statistics: 18.5 factors, 6.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds
Rose had one final season, main the Bulls to 45 wins. They had been eradicated by the Sixers within the first spherical.
Rose is retiring on her phrases, with loads of gasoline within the tank. He performed all 14 years in a Bulls uniform, ending his profession with 11 All-Star appearances, two First-Crew All-NBA choices, an MVP, a scoring title and an NBA championship.
