Two of the NBA’s brightest stars, LeBron James and Derrick Rose, shared the spotlight during their overlapping careers over the past two decades.
This connection prompted James to take to social media on Thursday morning to honor Rose following his announcement of retirement from professional basketball, as reported by ClutchPoints. He shared an image of Rose with the heartfelt caption, “Much love and respect Pooh!!! Salute.”
In many respects, James and Rose had parallel journeys in their careers. Both entered the NBA at a young age and made an immediate impact on their teams. James began his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, while Rose was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 2008.
Each player earned the Rookie of the Year award, with Rose averaging 16.8 points and 6.3 assists per game during the 2008-09 season. Their early years saw them frequently competing against each other as they sought dominance in the Eastern Conference.
However, Rose’s trajectory took a drastic turn due to a knee injury that hampered his performance and finally affected his career. Despite remaining in the league for several additional years, he never fully regained his previous form.
Rose found himself moving between various teams, even having a brief stint with James in Cleveland during the 2017-18 season. Off the court, their friendship has endured, and they remain close to this day.
Few individuals have navigated the same level of fame and success as Rose and James, which has forged a bond between them that continues to thrive.
