SLAM 1-ON-1 with Derrick Rose
The comebacking Derrick Rose stopped by MLA for the last stop of his world tour. He made an appearance in Araneta for the adidas 3-on-3 Finals and ended the trip at the Moa Atrium facing the winner of the 2k tournament for a friendly game. (He won by 1!!!) SLAM chilled with the youngest MVP ever to see what’s up.
SLAM: First of all, I just wanna greet you an advanced Happy Birthday. It’s on the 4th right?
DR: Oh thanks man appreciate it.
SLAM: Nice kicks you’re rocking there, are those 1 of 1′s?
DR: Thanks, yeah i got these in Beijing.
SLAM: What comes into your mind when you see Youngest MVP ever beside your name?
DR: To be honest, it hasn’t hit me yet. Maybe years from now or when I retire. But for now I need to put it behind me and go forward and the only goal is to get that championship.
SLAM: What was Simeon like?
DR: It was really a cool atmosphere over there.
SLAM: The tradition rocking jersey number 25 for Benji, how was that for you?
DR: Benji was a big inspiration. To be the number 1 ranked player then get killed. When I saw that 30 for 30 documentary that really got to me. It was an honor rocking the number 25 as a tribute to him.
SLAM: What is it like playing in Chicago, your hometown?
DR: Means the world, to rep your hometown. To be playing in the NBA is great but to play for Chicago, my hometown is icing on the cake. Last one who they really got into was MJ. So it really is special to rep my hometown and give them something to be positive about, to cheer.
SLAM: Adidas has made you the face of its brand the past couple years. How does that make you feel? As the main brand endorser what have you learned on how to develop your brand?
DR: Life changing man. To travel around the world, to see people all over support my line and the brand, its amazing.
SLAM: What areas are you working on still?
DR: Mainly my jumpers.
SLAM: Who is the funniest on the team? Who are you closest to?
DR: Noah on both. We can relate on a lot of things. He’s a free spirit. It’s funny cause we mess with him when he says he came from the bottom, we’re like what bottom, you had it all since you were little (laughs).
SLAM: Describe Thibodeau.
DR: He’s been around the game like 20 years, he knows what he’s doing.
SLAM: As an Elite Athlete who plays at the highest level, what advice can you give to aspiring athletes who someday want to be in your position?
DR: Work hard that’s really the key.
SLAM: Pre-Game rituals?
DR: Routine. Just give me something to eat, do my shooting drills and stuff I’m good to go.
SLAM: Favorite artists today?
DR: Of course Kanye and Jay but right now Big Sean and J.Cole.
SLAM: How do you feel when two of the biggest in the game Ye and Jay mention you on their verses?
DR: Couldn’t believe it.. 2 people of that level playing songs that mention my name like 15 times in a concert (laughs).
SLAM: You’ve been on the GQ cover before, what is your take on today’s fashion sense and how it has intertwined with the basketball culture?
DR: Totally different market. I mean, Jeremy Scott designed me a shoe. That was so cool.
SLAM: Yeah, we actually just released those over here!
DR: Those were sick. It’s the culture. Hip hop and fashion go together and Basketball is right in there.
SLAM: You’ve seen the next cover for SLAM?
DR: Yeah.. That black and white?
SLAM: Yup. Is it Go Time?
DR: Going for that chip man.
photos c/o Paul Ryan Tan
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