Derrick Rose, the former NBA MVP and Chicago Bulls icon, has made a surprising shift in his Greatest of All Time selection. While many expected him to name Michael Jordan, the six-time champion and Chicago legend, Rose recently revealed that his GOAT is Isiah Thomas—the Hall of Fame point guard who led the Detroit Pistons to two NBA titles.
During an interview with HoopsHype, Rose explained his reasoning, stating that Thomas’ ability to defeat Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and Larry Bird in their primes set him apart.
“I used to say MJ, but it wasn’t MJ,” Rose admitted. “I said it because I was intrigued by his story and how he won. But I’m not a two-guard. I don’t score like him at all. So it was just me admiring his story”.
Instead, Rose sees Thomas as the ultimate representation of Chicago’s toughness and competitive spirit. Despite playing for the Pistons, Thomas was born and raised in Chicago, making him a hometown hero in Rose’s eyes.
Thomas, a 12-time All-Star, was the leader of the “Bad Boys” Pistons, a team known for its physical and relentless style of play. He won two NBA championships in 1989 and 1990, earning Finals MVP honors in the latter.
While Jordan and Thomas had a fierce rivalry—one that led to Thomas being left off the 1992 Dream Team—Rose’s admiration for Thomas is rooted in his style of play and leadership rather than personal history.
Rose also touched on his own career, stating that he doesn’t like discussing the Hall of Fame, but believes his impact on Chicago basketball speaks for itself.
“I feel like I’m already in the Hall of Fame when you ask kids from my city or go around my city and ask them about who I was,” he said.
Derrick Rose’s GOAT pick may surprise many, but his reasoning is deeply personal. While Jordan remains the undisputed greatest player in Bulls history, Rose’s admiration for Isiah Thomas’ resilience, leadership, and ability to conquer the best makes his selection understandable.
