Hoops Habit
Fansided

Ranking every first overall pick in NBA history

By Christopher Jeter

MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Miami Heat on November 18, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Miami Heat on November 18, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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26. 2008: Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

The Derrick Rose story will always be a complex one to tell. He was the embodiment of the saying “the candle that burns twice as bright lasts half as long”, reaching the highest of highs at only 22 years old before his body ultimately failed him far too soon.

Despite finishing with a 33-49 record the season prior, the Bulls won the number one pick in the NBA Draft Lottery in 2008 and with it, the rights to draft the hometown boy. Two seasons later, he led the Bulls to 62-20 record and their first Eastern Conference finals appearance since Michael Jordan played there. His performance that season was enough to make him the youngest MVP in league history.

Then he tore his ACL in the first round of the next season’s playoffs against the Sixers. After that Rose would continue to struggle with knee problems, which chipped away at the lightning quickness that made him special. He showed flashes, but he was never the same player after that.

There was also that brief stint with the Knicks where it appeared as though Rose considered walking away from the game. Then there was the civil lawsuit filed by a woman accusing Rose and his friends of gang-raping her in 2013. The suit was thrown out, but between the jurors taking pictures with Rose after the trial and Rose not knowing what consent is, there was enough information given to change your opinion of Rose, the person.

As of 2018, Rose is enjoying a resurgence of sorts with the Timberwolves, but the overall scope of his career makes it hard to even paint that as a feel-good story.