The most mythical players in today’s NBA

MVP Derrick Rose

Vegas Jokers head coach Tom Thibodeau walks into the press room to meet with reporters on the first day of training camp.

“Hi”

“Coach, can you explain why the team signed 38-year-old Derrick Rose, who is coming off his fifth ACL surgery, to a three-year max contract?”

“Derrick is a veteran in this league and one of the best players I’ve ever had the pleasure of coaching. His MVP season is the greatest accomplishment of my coaching career.”

“That was nearly 20 years ago.”

“And I believe he can get back to that level. He was excellent coming off the bench for me in Seattle last year. He outplayed Lonzo by the end of the year and had his ACL not acted up again, there’s a good chance he would have carried us into the playoffs.”

“The team was 22-60.”

“Right, only because management forced me to start Lonzo. Had I been able to play Derrick 45 minutes a night, we would have made the playoffs. I’m grateful for this new opportunity in Vegas where I once again have personnel control. Team owner Dana White has put his full faith in me and I can’t say enough good things about our relationship.”

“Do you have a timetable on when Derrick will be ready?”

“Well, he tore his ACL in March, so we expect him to be ready for our first preseason game next week. Freddie Staples will be our starting point guard to open camp, but once Derrick is feeling 100 percent and back to his MVP self, he’ll be the starter.”

“Coach….”

“I’m not answering any more questions about Derrick. I can count on one finger the amount of players who have the kind of explosive athleticism he has despite everything he’s been through. Until he retires, Derrick will be with me every step of the way.”