Is Derrick Rose A Hall of Famer? (Full Argument)

Derrick Rose is one of those NBA comets that come on the scene and you are absolutely mesmerized.

He was this electric point guard with so much raw athleticism that he kept each fan in awe with every move.

Ever since he step foot on Memphis’ campus; the world was patiently waiting for his arrival in the NBA.

His first four seasons were spectacular.

Rose seemed poised to become one of the greatest to ever lace them up.

The road to legendary status was becoming more realistic with each highlight reel.

The player you see in this clip is one of the very best to ever step on an NBA court: Monster, monster, monster athleticism and savagery met skill + pace + control. That 2010-2014 period of the NBA was a beautiful time for the game and a lot of it has to do with Derrick Rose. pic.twitter.com/rEI5IRaibX

— Ball Don't Stop (@balldontstop) March 15, 2021

Then that infamous play during game 1 of the 2012 playoffs, where his knee shattered and things changed forever.

That was almost nine years ago, but Derrick Rose is still beloved by his peers and the fans.

The belief they all once had on him regaining that MVP form has finally vanished.

He is 32 years old now and we know who he is; the one from this generation that could have and should have been.

With his peak all but over; we ask ourselves if Derrick Rose is a hall of famer.

Talent-wise is a no brainer, but everything else is murky.

Let us break it down into three categories to see if he makes it: stats, impact, accolades.

Stats

Derrick Rose’s all-time numbers look like it is split into two different careers.

His first four seasons are incredible including that 2011 season where he averaged 25 PPG, 8 APG, 3 RPG, and a steal per game.

He looked like he would breeze to the 20,000 point club as he was a scorer more than anything.

That is definitely not the case anymore.

Furthermore his assists numbers have dwindled as he has turned into an off the bench scorer in recent years.

He is currently tied with Steve Blake at 174th all time assists with 3446.

His career points total stands at 11,523 as of today, which is almost a thousand points short from 250th on all-time scoring list.

If he was to make the hall of fame one day; he would perhaps have the worst numbers from anyone that played most of their career in the NBA.

Impact

Derrick Rose might not be an all-star anymore, but he still has a huge impact on the basketball culture.

He is someone that does not brag and boast or use any social media outlets, but still has a following that most players can’t even fathom.

The impact he has had is somewhat similar to an Allen Iverson in the terms of how much a city loved and truly appreciated the player.

Bulls fans still think about his time there and just wish things were different.

They have never forgotten the impact he had on that city.

His 50 point game for Minnesota was such an emotional moment for not only Rose, but also the city of Chicago.

He will always be their guy regardless of the next great player they have.

Rose is second to Jordan in popularity within Chicago Bulls fans.

He was the first player, post-Jordan era, to give that fan base hope.

He hasn’t been an all-star since 2012, but still puts out signature shoes that sell very well.

Adidas has given Rose eleven signature shoes and counting as he is one of their most popular athletes regardless of the career regression.

The talks of his prime is going to be close to an urban legend for the people who weren’t able to witness it.

If I had 3 wishes I'd use one to fix Derrick Rose's knees

— Air Jamaica (@Air_Jamaica) March 17, 2021

He is on that shortlist with a Penny Hardaway and Grant Hill as players that were so special that were hit with unfortunate luck.

Every season he has a game where we reminisce on what he was supposed to be, which is why his impact is almost unmatched.

Accolades

Derrick Rose possesses one accolade that most NBA players were never able to receive and that is MVP of the league.

Not only did he win MVP in 2011, but he is the youngest recipient of the award ever at 22 years old.

Rose was also first-team all-NBA that year, which is his only appearance as an all-NBA player.

He was also able to win the rookie of the year award and make three consecutive all star games from 2010-2012.

He led his team to two straight seasons of having the best record in the league and the number one seed in the Eastern Conference during Lebron’s first two years in Miami.

That is pretty much where the accomplishments end for Rose’s career.

A four-year run of winning almost every award imaginable outside a championship is his resume, but can someone make the hall of fame with a four-year prime?

Will he be the first MVP to never be a member of this prestigious group?

Verdict

In my personal opinion, I would have him out of the hall of fame.

That is due to a high standard I have for someone to be a hall of famer though.

The main problem with this debate is the overall process of the basketball hall of fame.

It is perhaps the worst sporting hall of fame there is with how the criteria to make it hardly makes any sense.

Players like Mitch Richmond have made it recently and his accomplishments are not on par with a Derrick Rose.

The only thing hurting Rose is that his prime was too short and his lack of all-star appearances.

Fans and his peers think he deserves it, but this is still a hard debate in my eyes.

If he makes it, does the standard for a hall of fame basketball player lessen even more than it already has?

This is a debate that we have years to argue about, but it is not one that will ever be an easy victory for either side.