Draymond Green isn’t exactly known for holding back his opinions, and his latest take is one that’s sure to stir the pot - especially in a city where basketball legacies are carved in stone. But when the Golden State veteran spoke about Derrick Rose during the Bulls’ jersey retirement ceremony, it wasn’t just hot take theater. It was a powerful acknowledgment of what Rose has meant - and still means - to Chicago.
“There’s not one bigger person in the city of Chicago than Derrick Rose,” Green said on his podcast. “Make no mistake about it… D-Rose means more to the city of Chicago than Michael Jordan.”
Now, that’s a bold statement. Michael Jordan isn’t just the greatest Bull of all time - he’s arguably the greatest basketball player ever.
But Green wasn’t talking about championships, global icon status, or sneaker empires. He was talking about something more personal.
More local. He was talking about connection.
Rose didn’t just play for Chicago - he was Chicago. Raised in Englewood, one of the city’s toughest neighborhoods, Rose didn’t arrive as a savior from somewhere else.
He was homegrown, a product of the same streets where so many kids dream of making it out. And when he made it, he brought the city with him.
That’s the core of Green’s point. Jordan defined Chicago basketball on a global stage.
But Rose reflected Chicago. He was the city’s reflection in real time - gritty, resilient, imperfect, and brilliant.
“Derrick Rose stops crime,” Green added. “Derrick Rose can walk around Chicago - no problem. What he means to the city of Chicago is unbelievable.”
It’s not just hyperbole. Rose’s impact on Chicago goes beyond the hardwood.
He’s been a symbol of hope, especially during a post-Jordan era when the Bulls were searching for an identity. His MVP season in 2010-11 - when he became the youngest player ever to win the award - wasn’t just a basketball achievement.
It was a cultural moment in Chicago. A kid from the South Side had brought the Bulls back to relevance, leading them to a 62-20 record and the top seed in the East.
Of course, the story didn’t unfold the way many hoped. Injuries derailed what could’ve been a Hall of Fame career.
But they never diminished what Rose meant to the city. If anything, they made his bond with Chicago even stronger.
His perseverance, his quiet dignity, his refusal to quit - all of it resonated with a city that prides itself on toughness.
That’s why Saturday night’s jersey retirement wasn’t just a celebration of Rose’s basketball resume. It was a tribute to everything he represented. The United Center became a canvas for his journey - from Simeon High School to Memphis to the No. 1 pick in the 2008 draft, to MVP, and now to the rafters.
And fittingly, Michael Jordan himself honored the moment. In a video message played during the ceremony, Jordan offered his congratulations.
“Derrick, congratulations on the retirement of your jersey,” Jordan said. “You really represent the city of Chicago, the Chicago Bulls, your family, and yourself very, very well. I’m very proud of you and very happy for your special night.”
It felt like a passing of the torch - not in terms of legacy or accolades, but in terms of meaning. Jordan was the face of Chicago basketball to the world. Rose was its heartbeat at home.
Very few players get their jerseys retired by the Bulls. Even fewer do it without a championship ring.
But Rose’s banner now hangs in the United Center, not because of what he didn’t accomplish, but because of what he did. He made Chicago believe.
He gave the city something to rally around. And in doing so, he earned a place in Bulls history that goes far beyond stats or trophies.
In the end, this wasn’t just about honoring a player. It was about honoring a son of Chicago - one who carried the weight of the city on his shoulders, and never let it break him.