“He’s Sick”: Derrick Rose Hilariously Roasts Tom Thibodeau for Calling Him About Basketball Despite His Retirement

Derrick Rose recently bid farewell to basketball after a career that lasted 15 years. He spent the majority of his time in the league playing for Tom Thibodeau. Under the coach, Rose became the youngest MVP in the league’s history in 2011, at the age of 22 years and 7 months. It seems even now, Thibs isn’t willing to let Rose go.

During a recent conversation, CHSN’s K.C. Johnson asked the three-time All-Star a light-hearted question: “… if he thinks Tom Thibodeau will ask him to do defensive slides tonight.” Rose’s answer was surprising, but not unexpected.

“He’s probably crazy enough to. It’s crazy. He called me right after I retired talking about basketball still,” Rose said.

The Chicago Bulls star had to remind Thibodeau that he is retired now and that he won’t come to the practice. The 36-year-old told the coach that he has made plans with his family and has to go on vacations to enjoy his retirement.

Rose said, “I still got vacays to go on. He’s sick. Love Thibs to death. I can’t wait to see him.”

The incident portrays Thibodeau’s core nature. The veteran head coach is always thinking about the game of basketball. Known for making his players work every second on the floor, his methods have even been dubbed as exhausting by many.

In October 2023, when he was playing with the Memphis Grizzlies, Rose had explained the difference in practice sessions conducted by Thibs and the other coaches in the NBA.

“It’s ran different. I’m just going to say that. It’s ran different. Here, it’s more smoother. It’s more fluent. And guys are really getting their work in. And that’s not saying the guys in New York didn’t get their work in,” Rose had said.

And Rose’s relationship with the coach deepened over the years because of the work ethic that they share as well as the love for the game.

Thibodeau heaped praise on Derrick Rose

Thibs started working with Rose in the guard’s second year in the league. In their long run together, they formed a friendship that has stood the test of time. So, when one of his most successful players decided to retire from the game, Thibodeau had nothing but great things to say about him.

“He was the ultimate teammate and obviously a great player. I can recall looking into the eyes of the opponent when he had the ball, you could see the fear. There’s no question he’s a hall-of-fame player,” the veteran HC said.

Thibs also pointed out that Rose has touched so many lives on and off the floor. As a testament to his character, Thibs claimed that there will not be a former teammate of Rose who would say that they didn’t like their time with the Bulls legend.