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“I wish I could have recorded that conversation” – Derrick Rose on Michael Jordan congratulating him on his first All-Star selection originally appeared on Basketball Network.
When Derrick Rose earned his first All-Star nod, that alone was worth celebrating. But then came the real kicker — a call from Michael Jordan himself.
Growing up in Chicago, Rose had always looked up to Jordan. So when the latter picked up the phone to congratulate him, it meant everything. For the freshly crowned All-Star, it was one of the highest signs of respect the game could offer.
Rose didn’t just hit the league running — he showed up collecting hardware. Drafted first overall by his hometown team in 2008, the Chicago native grabbed Rookie of the Year right out of the gate. By his third season, he had become the youngest Most Valuable Player in league history — and in between, earned his first All-Star nod.
That first selection during the 2009–10 regular season was more than just a reward for his numbers — 20.8 points, 6.0 assists and 3.8 rebounds per contest. It marked a turning point.
After years of post-dynasty drought, the team from Windy City finally had a star to build around. The city felt it. The league saw it. And the greatest Bull of all time noticed, too.
“I’m very happy for him,” Jordan told ESPNChicago.com via text. “The Bulls deserve an All-Star. [Rose] is a very special player.”
In early 2010, Jordan had plenty on his plate — still riding the wave of his Hall of Fame induction and preparing to welcome his former congenial partner and six-time championship-winning teammate Scottie Pippen into the club that fall.
Yet despite everything, His Airness made time to personally call the Bulls’ rising point guard star after the All-Stars were announced. For Rose, who would earn the honor twice more in his 15-year NBA career, it wasn’t just a call — it was a moment he wanted to cherish forever.
“I wish I could have recorded that conversation,” a beaming Rose said. “For him (Jordan) to say that, that’s crazy right there. I was just amazed he even knew my name when I first met him. He’s a legend in the game of basketball, in the NBA and in Chicago. For him to say that it means a lot.”
While that was certainly a highlight, Rose, retired since September 2024, said many more congratulations came — texts, calls, even long-distance shouts from ex-Chicagoans. But the then-21-year-old kept it grounded, just hoping to maintain his momentum.
“Everybody’s just happy for me and I hope I just keep playing well,” remarked Rose.
In the NBA, cross-generational relationships are often strained or marked by a lack of respect. But this clearly wasn’t the case here. Mike made his admiration for Derrick clear once again just a year later when the latter won his MVP award.
“He (Rose) deserves it. He’s playing that well. Without a doubt. If he doesn’t get it, now he’ll understand how I felt for many years,” said Jordan, who himself won the MVP award five times during his storied career.
Related: “I can’t think of a better person to do it” – Scottie Pippen on Michael Jordan presenting him at his Hall of Fame induction
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
