“I’m Not Turning It On”: Derrick Rose Has Given Up on Watching NBA Games to Deal With Retirement

It has officially been three months since Derrick Rose retired from basketball. And he hasn’t looked back, quite literally. Since ending his 15-year NBA career, D-Rose has stopped watching the NBA games, he revealed while talking to his former Chicago Bulls teammate, Joakim Noah.

During their conversation, a special production released by the Bulls, Rose and Noah discussed life away from basketball. The three-time All-Star went on to reveal that he only watches NBA games when his family, especially his son PJ, wants to watch.

“I haven’t watched it. I mean, when PJ watches it or anybody’s watching, then, I’ll watch it. But I’m not turning that sh*t on by myself,” said Rose.

Before his knee injury in 2012, Rose was one of the best players in the NBA. He remains the youngest MVP in league history, winning the award in 2011, when he was 22 years old. Although Rose has retired, the competitive spirit is still imprinted into his psyche. So, it’s a struggle for the former Bulls star to get himself to watch NBA games.

Rose then asked Noah how long it took him to watch basketball again. The former 2013-14 Defensive Player of the Year admitted it took three years before he could.

“So I got two more years,” Rose said, in response.

However, Rose has been able to find many other positive aspects to his life post-retirement.

Rose’s life away from basketball

Instead of feeling nostalgic about it, Rose is focusing on all of the pros that he’s experiencing away from the sport. He is much more relaxed now, for starters.

“Life after basketball is great for you,” Rose said. “You sleep a lot better. No competing, not being competitive like that.” 

Rose has noticed that his sleep patterns have greatly improved after his basketball career. He is also appreciative of the finer perks of being away from the competitive environment.

Although he still loves the game dearly, the break from competitiveness seems to have tremendously benefitted him. He will enjoy his time away from basketball until he’s ready to welcome it back into his life, in whatever capacity he deems fit.