In order to be a great player in a professional sports league, you have to care about winning. Caring about winning means caring about losing, too. While it would be silly to say that there are pro athletes out there who are hardly fazed by losing, it would be even more naive to think there aren’t some players out there who care more than others. Clearly Derrick Rose is one of them.
Unlike the boys from South Beach, Rose said he basically went into a depression when the Heat bounced the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals.
“Being that close [to the NBA Finals], and not getting it, hurt,” Rose said in an interview with Yahoo! Sports. “I just stayed inside the whole time. I didn’t go anywhere else. I wore pajamas, watched a lot of movies, drank Powerade and got delivery food. My body was just sore and wore out. Mentally, too.
“I’m just getting over it. …I know my time will (come) soon. That’s how I think about it. I guess you have to pay your dues.”
If he had the curtains drawn, you know Rose is a true competitor. Derrick is a deserving MVP who has barely even scratched the surface of his potential. We were already convinced he had the talent to lead his team to multiple championships, but now we can be sure he has the drive as well. A guy like Rose could easily go home and count his money for a week after a huge loss to help him feel better. Winners go home, get in their pjs, watch movies, and order takeout.
