The Madhouse: Our Guy

Tonight, we will see the first Bull start in the All-Star game in 13 years. Derrick Rose does not just find himself this weekend as an All-Star starter, but the focus of considerable attention around the nation, especially in the MVP discussion. No one could be more deserving of all of the attention, columns and accolades. And through all of this, Derrick has stayed true to himself, not allowing any of the attention to change who he is. And who is he exactly? He is our guy.


As Chicagoans, we have never had another athlete who's successes and failures are ours completely. Every ounce of Derrick Rose is molded by Chicago. He grew up in Englewood, on the toughest of Chicago streets that have been the focus of controversy for decades. His family raised him the right way, and watched over him with the midwestern values that Chicagoans hold so dearly. Before the season started, when Derrick asked, "Why can't I be MVP?" it came from that enduring Chicago spirit. The spirit that allowed a city that had been burned down to rebuild itself and host the World's Fair. The spirit that Daniel Burnham captured when he said, "Make no little plans. Think big."
Derrick thinks big. But he thinks big with humility and modesty. Because, after all, Chicagoans know that thinking big is not enough. We are nicknamed "the city that works" for a reason. We dream big and then make it happen. Derrick's humility and modesty come from that belief in tying our hopes and dreams to hard work.
Carl Sandburg called Chicago the "City of Broad Shoulders." And time and time again this season, we have seen Derrick put the team on his broad shoulders. Chicagoans are known for their pride and Derrick is no different. Repeatedly, Derrick talks about wanting to represent Chicago in the best way. He doesn't just want to win, he wants to win in Chicago. We know this because nothing motivates Derrick more than giving Chicago what it enjoyed during the 90's. "You just want to get your jersey up there," Rose said. "I know for me, that's what I look at. I just want to get my jersey up there. Days I come in sore or I don't feel like working out ... looking at those jerseys gets you ready to play."
Chicago is lucky that we get to watch our Rose bloom on Madison Ave. And speaking of that Chicago pride, Derrick knows that he does not have to do any boasting off the court, he knows that he has the greatest fans in the world to do that for him.