Taj Gibson didn’t hold back when reflecting on his years alongside Derrick Rose - and honestly, how could he? The two shared more than just locker rooms. They shared battles, playoff runs, and the kind of bond that only forms when you’ve been through the grind together for over a decade.
Gibson and Rose were teammates for 14 years, with their journey beginning in Chicago and continuing through stops in Minnesota and New York. But it was with the Bulls where their connection truly took root.
They were part of a gritty, defensive-minded squad that made noise in the Eastern Conference, including that memorable 2011 run to the East Finals - the same year Rose became the youngest MVP in NBA history. That team had heart, and at the center of it was Rose, electrifying the league with his fearless drives and explosive athleticism.
On Saturday night, the Bulls honored Rose with a jersey retirement ceremony following their game against the Celtics - a full-circle moment for the Chicago native. And fittingly, Gibson was there to help pay tribute.
“I was able to spend 14 years of my career with this man,” Gibson said during the ceremony. “Many, many nights, many, many foxholes, many, many scraps… he was right there with me.”
That quote says it all. Gibson wasn’t just talking about games - he was talking about life in the NBA trenches.
The late nights, the injuries, the playoff heartbreaks, the wins that felt like championships, and the losses that stuck with you. Through it all, Rose was right beside him.
"I was able to spend 14 years of my career with this man. Many many nights, many many foxholes, many many scraps... he was right there with me."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 25, 2026
Taj Gibson with a touching tribute to Derrick Rose 🌹
(via @NBA)
pic.twitter.com/5CGSSutRxw
Rose’s career was anything but conventional. After bursting onto the scene in 2008 and immediately making an impact as Rookie of the Year, he looked like the next great point guard - and for a while, he was.
That 2010-11 MVP season was a blur of highlight-reel drives and fearless finishes. But then came the injuries.
The ACL tear in 2012 changed everything, and the years that followed were a test of resilience more than anything else.
Still, Rose adapted. He evolved.
No longer the high-flying MVP, he found new ways to contribute. Whether it was as a spark plug off the bench in Minnesota, a steadying veteran presence in New York, or a leader in Detroit, Rose embraced his role and kept grinding.
He wasn’t just hanging on - he was producing. And in the early 2020s, he even earned recognition as a Sixth Man of the Year finalist.
When he finally stepped away from the game in 2024, Rose had compiled a résumé that speaks volumes: 16 seasons, six teams, three All-Star nods, a Rookie of the Year award, and that unforgettable MVP. But more than the stats, it’s the impact he left - on teammates, on fans, and on the city of Chicago - that truly defines his legacy.
Now, his jersey hangs in the rafters at the United Center. For a kid from Englewood, that’s not just a career milestone - it’s a dream realized. Injuries may have robbed us of seeing the full extent of what Rose could’ve been, but what he did accomplish is still remarkable.
And if you ask Taj Gibson - who saw it all up close - Rose’s story isn’t just about what could’ve been. It’s about perseverance, loyalty, and heart. And that’s what makes his number hanging in the rafters feel so right.