Being named NBA MVP makes Derrick Rose want to work harder
By Herb Gould hgould@suntimes.com May 4, 2011 12:07AM
Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM
Put two more feathers in Derrick Rose’s cap. He not only formally accepted the MVP award Tuesday that everyone knew was coming.
He did it with class, warmth and humor.
‘‘This is amazing,’’ said Rose, 22, the NBA’s youngest MVP, unseating Wes Unseld, who was 23 in 1969. ‘‘This is only my third year. To get the MVP at 22 years old makes me want to push harder, work harder, stay in the gym longer. I’m blessed to be in this position right now.’’
After nearly choking up while paying tribute to his mother, Brenda, who had a front-row seat at the Lincolnshire Marriott, Rose said he wants her to have the trophy — with one small request.
‘‘I want to have it for at least a couple of days before she can steal it,’’ he said. ‘‘Just give me some time, Mama.’’
The MVP chants ought to crescendo when Rose receives the trophy publicly before Game 2 tonight. Rose said the MVP chant, which he has heard in arenas around the country, is music to his ears.
‘‘It feels great,’’ he said. ‘‘It gives us an advantage. There’s nothing like being on that line, and you hear that. It makes you feel special when you’re up there. It makes you play even harder.’’
It’s also special, he said, to bring the MVP award back to his hometown.
‘‘It gives the city something to brag about, brings excitement back to the city,’’ he said. ‘‘It feels good when you go out and people are cheering for you when you walk in a restaurant. And you have some people that pay your bills.’’
Speaking for the Bulls, general manager Gar Forman said the organization could not be more pleased.
‘‘We are so proud of what Derrick has accomplished, not only on the floor but off the floor,’’ Forman said. ‘‘Whatever Derrick’s ceiling is, he will reach it because of his desire and determination. The scary thing is, he’s only 22 years old. We don’t think he’s reached that ceiling yet. He’s going to get better and better.’’
Note-a-Bull
Rose — who led the Bulls to an NBA-best 62-20 record, 21 more wins than last season’s 41-41 — received 113 of 121 first-place votes. The others went to LeBron James (four), Dwight Howard (three) and Kobe Bryant (one).
† He’s the second Bull to earn league MVP honors. Michael Jordan was a five-time winner (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996 and 1998).
† NBA trophy sponsor Kia Motors, which lets trophy winners designate a charity, is donating a Sorento CUV to Meals on Wheels Chicago in connection with Rose’s MVP award.
† The Bulls overcame a 1.7 percent lottery chance to land the right to make Rose the first pick in the 2008 NBA draft.
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