Detroit Pistons: What Derrick Rose’s flashback games at the United Center mean to Chicago

Derrick Rose’s recent 23 and 18-point performances at the United Center for the Detroit Pistons reminded Chicago of the pure joy that the hometown kid used to bring.

As a Detroit Piston, Derrick Rose now has the coveted opportunity to play at his old arena, the United Center, twice a season with instances of jubilation for Chicago Bulls faithful, Detroit Pistons fans and Rose himself.

The Pistons-Bulls first matchup this season in Chicago saw Rose sky for two dunks on his way to a 23-point, seven assist performance.

“Coming here is always special,” Rose said after the game on Nov. 1. “Playing here is special. Feeling that energy tonight was something to hold onto for sure.”

Both Bulls fans and Rose have vivid memories of his time in Chicago, highlighted by taking the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics to a seven-game series in 2009, hoisting an MVP trophy in his hometown and countless gravity-defying dunks and acrobatic layups that left fans speechless.

Although Rose didn’t throw down his signature two-handed tomahawk dunk, the crowd went wild when the former Bull took flight. As soon as the hometown product checked into the game he received MVP chants like it was 2010.

“I had to crack a smile a little bit,” Rose said. “It made me reminisce about some of the old days and how grateful I was to be in that position at a young age. I’m just trying to take all of it in.”

The former MVP admitted that it was very weird playing in the place he called home for so long, and noted that he is molded by Chicago as seen in his style of play.

“The way I play is a Chicago way of playing basketball,” Rose said. “Very physical, one-on-one, I’m going at you, but I’m trying to win the game by any means.”

The Bulls ultimately outlasted the Pistons 112-106, but Rose’s next opportunity to play in his hometown came less than three weeks later on Nov. 20 with a Bulls reunion scheduled. Luol Deng was being honored at the United Center after retiring as a Bull, and former teammates such as Ben Gordon and Joakim Noah were in the house to support Deng off the court and Rose in his comeback trail.

“It’s kind of crazy that I’m on the court and (Noah’s) up there with his kids,” Rose said.  “It’s great to see just being here. It’s like a reunion whenever I come back here.”

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Said Noah: “Derrick’s like a brother to me. It was a real special time in our lives playing for the Chicago Bulls.  It’s just a special time right now Lu’s retiring, Derrick’s playing in a different uniform, but we all know when we see each other it’s a real brotherhood.”

Rose finished with 18 points as the Bulls won 109-89, but the Pistons will have a shot at redemption against their division foes in Detroit on Saturday.

The hometown kid-turned-Chicago Bull carries Chicago with him everywhere he goes, symbolized by wearing the No. 25 that he wore in high school at Simeon on the city’s south side.

“This is home for me,” Rose said.  “I’ll never leave Chicago. I still have a place here.  I’m always going to have a place here, my son is being raised here, so this is home.”

Being part of the Pistons now gives Rose ties with fellow Chicago Native Isiah Thomas, giving the two the hometown and Pistons connection. Rose said he feels the love when he plays back in Chicago, indicated by discussions of possibly lifting his No. 1 jersey to the rafters one day, much like Thomas, who’s jersey hangs in Detroit where Rose, the fellow Chicagoean, continues his story.

“I’m a product of the city, I’m a son of the city in some way,” Rose said after returning to Chicago. “Everybody looks at me as their child, cousin or family member. Who wouldn’t want to be in the rafters up there with M.J. … I would love it.”