When he says the player he used to be "Isn't there anymore," It seems a steely admission not just in that he lost something he will never recover, and now understands that, but an optimism that he can grow beyond what he lost.
Read this quote, like he is describing a whole different person than himself.
“That player you saw, that reckless player, I’m smarter now,” Rose was telling reporters Friday afternoon following a brief team film session. “If I didn’t grow in this game I’d be mad at myself. Just trying to take the shots they are giving me, trying to adjust while I am playing. That old/young reckless player you saw years ago, he’s not there anymore.
“I love this player,” Rose said with an authoritative look. “This player is better, smarter.”
Some major mental overhaul has gone on here. I think the first attempted comeback Derrick was all about trying to prove he actually was the same guy, the same insane, beat you no matter what you do with my athleticism, guy. This stuff piggybacks on a retrospective piece on Derrick earlier in the year, well actually about Reggie, where Reggie I believe suggested Derrick knows he will never be the same. I think he's finally come to terms with everything, and has come out the other side of his ordeals the last 3 years.
He might not be the same, but he's close enough that if his head is screwed on tight, he can still dominate.
...Probably the notion about “reinventing yourself” is a bit too cliché for what Rose has gone through, an evolutionary process exacerbated by natural growth and physical misfortune. That Rose is averaging 24 points and eight assists on 45.5 percent three point shooting is not the salient point in the Bulls 3-0 playoff series lead over the Milwaukee Bucks.
It’s that he’s come back not to be back as he was, as often has become the public and media obsession like a boom or bust economic cycle; a skyrocketing stock or a crash, little in between. But for Rose it’s been to advance in mind and spirit as well as game. Perhaps you don’t get statistically better, but you begin to learn what it takes to earn your way back and be a pro.
“The joy, the appreciation, just everything about basketball,” Rose explained. “For someone like myself to go through three surgeries at a young age, your whole perspective of the game and life is different. Especially having a son, your appreciation of the game, your appreciation of the fans, just seeing everybody jump off the wagon, get back on the wagon; it’s fun. It’s part of it. You can’t get mad at people. You can’t get mad at the fans.
“People are always going to have opinions,” said Rose. “It’s just funny to hear their opinions and get motivated by them. Appreciating every moment of it; even the down times where it’s all a learning experience. That’s another reason why you have to love the playoffs because it’s going to be tough. It’s going to push you in every way, mentally, physically, emotionally; you’ve just got to figure your way through it.”
It’s why perhaps so many underestimate Rose and what he’s endured and perhaps this Bulls team as well.
...
“Taking care of your body; nothing crazy like some of the rumors you hear about like getting in wine or anything,” Rose said with a smile in reference to the Amar’e Stoudemire regimen. “Nothing like that. Just making sure, eating well, sleeping, little things, stretching.”
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“Derrick, it’s not that he’s old; his best years are coming,” maintains Thibodeau. “He’s had to navigate through adversity; it’s made him a lot stronger mentally. Now we have a chance. The challenge is not only bringing the best out of himself, but to bring the best out of all his teammates. He’s probably doing that as well as he ever has. He had several plays he had dribble penetration into the lane, the kick out to Mike or Tony (Snell) or Jimmy that led to high percentage shots, great chemistry with Pau (Gasol) on the pick and roll. He’s a little more patient, but he’s also bringing the best out of his teammates.”
Rose knows it’s not about being the MVP; it’s about being the most valuable he can be to his team and himself.
Bulls.com
