Derrick Rose retires: A look at 5 of the former 2011 MVP's best NBA performances

After 16 seasons in the NBA, Derrick Rose has announced his retirement from professional basketball. Rose was waived by the Memphis Grizzlies a few weeks ago after reportedly asking the team to let him go. On Wednesday, Shams Charania broke the news that the former MVP has called it a career.

Rose was a role player in arguably the last 10 years of his career as an ACL injury in the 2012 playoffs saw him lose some of his speed and athleticism. “D-Rose” had to adjust from being a superstar to being part of a supporting cast. With Rose’s NBA career over, it's time to take a look at some of the best games of his basketball career.

Derrick Rose’s best 5 games in the NBA

#5, Rose drops 50 points against the Utah Jazz

On October 30, 2018, “D-Rose” stunned the basketball world as the former MVP lit up the Utah Jazz for a career-high 50 points, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 128-125 win.

What made the performance stunning was just a few months before that game, it seemed like Rose’s career was over. During that 2017-18 season, he played 25 games, 16 for the Cleveland Cavaliers and nine for the Timberwolves. His 5.8 PPG that season in Minnesota was then the worst in his career.

Derrick Rose turned back the clock with a vintage performance that reminded fans of his MVP year. He said after the game “Words can’t describe how I feel right now” as fans gave him a standing ovation. Several Jazz players remained on the court to applaud and appreciate Rose’s historic night.

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#4, Rose carries the Chicago Bulls in Game 3 of the 2011 playoffs vs. Atlanta Hawks

Before 2011, Derrick Rose had never gone past the first round. He lost to the Boston Celtics in 2009 before winning just one game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010.

Game 3 in Atlanta was crucial after the Hawks stole Game 1 in Chicago with a 103-95 victory. Rose wanted to take the advantage back to Windy City with an epic performance. He erupted for 44 points on 16-for-27 shooting, including 4-of-7 from deep. The electric point guard added seven assists, five rebounds, one steal and one block.

The Hawks won Game 4 before the Chicago Bulls secured wins in Games 5 and 6 to advance to the 2011 Eastern Conference championship.

#3, Rose outduels LeBron James, hits game-winning 3-pointer in Game 3 of Cavs-Bulls series in 2015

Derrick Rose was four seasons removed from his MVP year when the Chicago Bulls faced the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2015 playoffs. He no longer had the same explosiveness following an ACL injury in 2012 and a torn meniscus twice in 2013.

Rose, however, outdueled LeBron James in Game 3 of the Bulls-Cavs showdown. “D-Rose” had 30 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, one steal and one block. The icing on the cake was the game-winning shot 3-pointer that pushed Cleveland to a 99-96 win.

On defense, Rose helped limit Kyrie Irving to 11 points and four rebounds. The injury-plagued veteran arguably put on his best performance in the 2015 playoffs in that game.

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#2, Bulls overwhelm Heat in Game 1 of 2011 Eastern Conference finals behind Derrick Rose

The 2011 Eastern Conference finals were the pinnacle of Derrick Rose’s career. He would never again advance that far.

In Game 1 of that series, he led the Chicago Bulls to an overwhelming 103-82 victory, the largest winning margin in that head-to-head showdown. Rose’s numbers did not jump out, finishing the game with 28 points, six assists and one rebound.

Rose, however, played with poise and confidence against the Heat’s Big Three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Miami slowed down Chicago's star point guard but Rose played within the system to lead the Bulls’ win.

The Heat’s superior roster and firepower eventually wore down the Bulls. Chicago might have lost the series in a sweep if not for Rose’s impressive Game 1 showing.

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#1, Derrick Rose showed he was the real deal in his playoff debut

Derrick Rose’s arrival helped the Chicago Bulls to a 41-41 record and the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs in 2009. Chicago’s reward for returning to the postseason was the defending champion Boston Celtics led by Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.

Rose, who was expected to win the Rookie of the Year award, proved that he was ready for the big stage. He had 36 points, 11 assists and four rebounds. The speedy guard made 12-of-19 shots and ran rings around Boston’s vaunted defense.

Derrick Rose fouled out before the game went into overtime in the Bulls’ 105-103 victory. Chicago lost the series 4-3 but five of the games were decided by three points or less. Rose was still a rookie but his impact on the team was undeniable. It might have been the best game of his career considering the stage he was playing on as a rookie.