Derrick Rose’s time with the Bulls began on a path for storybook status. Drafted No. 1 overall by his hometown team, Rose immediately burst on the scene in 2008 as one of the more dynamic, exciting players in the NBA. By age 23, he was already a three-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year and MVP, and the Bulls appeared on a rise towards legitimate title contention.
Needless to say, that storybook ending never actualized. The first domino was Rose tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee in a first round playoff series against the 76ers in 2012, which caused him to miss the entirety of the 2012-13 season.