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“Derrick Rose learnt a ton from Michael Jordan”: BJ Armstrong opens up about the Bulls legend’s influence on the 2011 NBA MVP

Amulya Shekhar
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"Derrick Rose learnt a ton from Michael Jordan": BJ Armstrong opens up about the Bulls legend's influence on the 2011 NBA MVP

BJ Armstrong reveals how Michael Jordan served as a mentor for Derrick Rose. The sharpshooter says Rose learnt a ton from the Bulls legend.

Michael Jordan is like a God amongst men in terms of his impact on the city of Chicago. For 14 years, His Airness put the hopes of millions from this city on his back and delivered. He naturally has some level of impact even on current NBA players, and with good reason.

The legacy that MJ left behind in Chicago is unlikely to ever be challenged by any player at a single franchise. Tim Duncan played longer for his franchise, but he won less. Bill Russell won more with his franchise in less time, but he was never dominant like Mike.

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Jordan combined athleticism, physicality and an undying competitive spirit to one of the greatest skillsets in basketball history. Not everyone can be Michael Jordan. But if you’re looking to try and be a leader in the NBA, it would be in your interest to hear him out.

That’s exactly the kind of experience that BJ Armstrong says Derrick Rose got from His Airness. According to BJ, Jordan would always in the ear of the youngest MVP in league history, trying to give him the best possible advice.

BJ Armstrong reveals the strong bond between Michael Jordan and Derrick Rose

D-Rose was a veritable Michael Jordan to his generation of Chicago ballers. Rose may not be the league-breaking dominant force that MJ represented. But he was a #1 pick in a city that was looking to him to bring it every night.

Armstrong was Rose’s agent for a good while. He reveals the nature of the relationship between MJ and Rose:

“Every night, it was great that we (he and Rose) would talk and we would try to figure out — or he would figure out — what he had to do to win that game.”

“I kinda learned that, being in Chicago, in particular, I learned it from Michael (Jordan), because he would always challenge me, ‘I gotta find a reason to be my best,” Armstrong started.

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“I learned that from Michael because he always found something that was gonna keep him angry and upset. So that season, for 82 games, he (Rose) tried to win every single game.”

“Once I saw him (Rose) do that, then I knew he was ready. I knew he was ready to challenge himself because that’s the fun part, knowing that you can walk out on the floor and win every single time you step out there.”

About the author

Amulya Shekhar

Amulya Shekhar

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Amulya Shekhar is a sports junkie who thrives on the thrills and frills of live sports action across basketball, football (the American variant works too), parkour, adventure sports. He believes sports connect us to our best selves, and he hopes to help people experience sports more holistically.

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