Bulls fans roast announcer for comparing Derrick Rose to Michael Jordan - "Lay off the crack"

Chicago Bulls icon Derrick Rose was celebrated by his former team over the weekend, with many paying tribute to his 15-year career. Ahead of the festivities, Chicago announcer Stacey King likened Rose's pre-injury ceiling to franchise legend Michael Jordan, baffling many fans.

The 2008 NBA draft's No. 1 pick, Rose came out of the gates strong for his hometown Bulls. After winning the 2009 NBA Rookie of the Year award, he made three straight All-Star teams, cementing himself as one of the league's brightest young superstars. He also secured the 2011 MVP, becoming the youngest player to receive the honor (22).

However, Rose's career trajectory was altered after he suffered a torn left ACL against the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2012 playoffs' first round. While he battled back and carved out an extensive career as a savvy scoring guard, he never returned to being the same explosive, All-Star-level player.

Nevertheless, Rose remained revered among Chicagoans for his contributions on and off the court, including his inspirational journey as a hometown kid.

During Saturday's 139-126 home win over the New York Knicks, the Bulls hosted "Derrick Rose Night" to commemorate his career. Many players, coaches, analysts and fans paid tribute to the recent retiree leading up to and during the event.

In an interview with The Athletic's Darnell Mayberry published Thursday, King reflected on covering Rose at his peak. The three-time NBA champion, who played alongside Jordan, noted that, if healthy, Rose would have played his entire career in Chicago. He added that the standout guard was on track to become as great as "His Airness."

"If he never goes down, he retires a Bull," King said. "If he stays healthy and on the trajectory he was going on, he's Michael Jordan."

However, fans on X/Twitter pushed back. Many asserted that King took his praise of Rose a step too far by comparing his upside to arguably the NBA's GOAT.

"Stacey King needs to lay off the crack," @PrideofSpuyten said.

"Nah, pump the brakes," @LBJsBest wrote.

"I love D-Rose, but ... pause," @jbondwagon said.

"Let's relax a little bit," @redraiderman1 wrote.

"D-Rose was great, but even healthy, he's no MJ. Hall of Famer, sure, but not a top 10 all-time player," @JoshuaCReeves said.

"That's stretching a bit, but I understand where he's coming from,"@RealCrypto_35 wrote.

---

---

Derrick Rose on what he could have accomplished with Bulls if he never tore his ACL

On Saturday, Derrick Rose was asked how his Bulls tenure would have turned out had he never torn his ACL. Rather than compare himself to an all-time great, he noted that he has long since stopped contemplating what-if scenarios.

"I mean, who knows," Rose said. "That's something I really don't think about. The last time I had those conversations was years and years ago."

Rose added that his basketball obsession likely would have left him perpetually unsatisfied with his accomplishments. Thus, according to the three-time All-Star, his injury setbacks were a blessing in disguise that helped him build character.

"But at the same time, with me being obsessed, I wouldn't have found out who I was as a person," Rose said.

"I was obsessed with the game. Not love. I was obsessed. So, if I would've won one championship, I would've wanted four. And that would have pulled me away, further and further away from finding self-knowledge, self-revelation, identity, and yeah, everybody's story is different."

---