(Update: rumors of a Jimmy Butler vs Derrick Rose feud, and other conspiracy theories floating around)
(Update: Joakim Noah benched; could signal the beginning of the end of his Chicago career)
Chicago Bulls fans don’t need to worry too much about the sexual assault allegations against Derrick Rose. The star point guard is very confident in his inevitable exoneration. This won’t be a distraction to him and his teammates. Rose isn’t worried about this at all. He’s already looking ahead to other things, like his free agency; in 2017.
Yes, Rose isn’t looking ahead to July 1, 2016, 11 months from now. He’s looking ahead to July 1, 2017, 23 months from now. That’s when he may have a chance to hit the open market.
“I’m trying to prepare myself and my family,” Rose said, referring to the NBA increasing the salary cap and the max contract amount available beginning in 2016-17 (due to the influx of additional television revenue)
“It’s all for my son, even though we’re comfortable. You talk about ‘X’ amount of dollars, it raised everybody’s eyebrows. There’s nothing wrong with being over-prepared,” Rose said.
This is certainly a stark contrast from what we usually hear from star athletes: “I’m taking it one day at a time.”
Derrick Rose told the media he’s focused on something that begins exactly 640 days from now.
Rose will make $20 million this season. He has a $185 million endorsement deal with Adidas. In the words of Dr. Dre that’s
“hella Swiss or Mozzarella, pockets swella, getting money like a bank teller.”
What made Derrick Rose’s 2017 free-agency comments even more inexplicable is the fact that they were unsolicited. No one wanted to talk about this topic, but Rose. One couldn’t help but flash back to last season when Rose made his controversial remarks about saving his body for post NBA career business endeavors and being able to enjoy his son’s graduation.
Now Derrick Rose is, as Puff Daddy would put it “tying to get my hands on some Grants like Horace.”
“This whole summer I had tunnel vision,” Derrick Rose continued.
“My mindset was just making sure that I was working out every day, and spending as much time as possible with my son (P.J.). And focusing on those two things. Making sure my family is financially stable, as far as seeing all the money that they’re passing out in this league. Just telling the truth. Just knowing that my day will be coming up soon, and it’s not for me. It’s for P.J. and his future, so that’s what I’m thinking about right now.'”
Rose was asked about where he wants to build his future. “Here, it’s here,” he answered referring to his hometown and current team. So let’s give him credit for that. At least he was able to salvage one soundbite on this specific topic that didn’t make him lose hearts and minds.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and sometimes writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. The website is also featured on News Now.
Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye. He also appears regularly on numerous talk shows all across the country. Catch him Tuesdays on KOZN 1620 The Zone.
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