Emotional Derrick Rose silences his haters after leading Knicks to first playoff win since 2013

I think we can all agree that you just can’t hate Derrick Rose. He’s such a humble, down-to-earth guy who’s not to blame for the downfall his career once took, and one of the greatest NBA players of the past couple of decades, even if he never wins a ring.

Rose is the league’s youngest MVP and one of the most electrifying players to ever set foot on an NBA hardwood. He was a high-flying menace that could change gears in the blink of an eye, a one-man fast-break that was for sure going to put you in a poster.

But, now that some of his speed is gone after the years gone by and multiple injuries, some people questioned whether he could actually give the New York Knicks big minutes in the playoffs.

Emotional Derrick Rose Calls Out Those Who Thought He Was Done

That’s why Rose, who led the Knicks in scoring with 26 points and carried them to their first playoff win in 8 years, took a moment to silence his doubters after playing a game-high 39 minutes:

“I’ve been dreaming about this moment for a long time,” Rose toldNBA on TNT. “In the past, people said I couldn’t play the minutes and they was worried about it but I knew all along and how much hard work I put into it. In practice, I’ll be on my feet for two hours so you can’t tell me I can’t play 30 minutes in a game with the way that I’ve changed and the way I play. I’m happy with my endurance and I’m happy we got the win tonight, too.”

Rose isn’t the frenetic player he once was. He won’t beat you with his speed or athleticism as he used to do, and that’s perfectly fine. He’s evolved and is now a more mature and all-around player.

We can all agree that, barring injuries, Rose was poised to become one of the greatest players in NBA history. That’s why he’s such an easy guy to root for. He’s been through everything and has always come out on top, and last night’s performance was another example of that.