Former Cavalier Derrick Rose Describes His Time in Cleveland as Feeling Like ‘an Apparition’

Many people probably don’t even recall that former MVP Derrick Rose was a member of the Cavs at the start of last season, but in the end, it was a very short team four month relationship that ended with a trade to Utah.

Rose is having a rebirth with the Minnesota Timberwolves this season, putting up 18.8 points per game and playing again at age 30 like an All-Star.

Looking back to his time with the Cavs is something it sounds like Rose would rather forget, as in an article on ESPN Rose didn’t exactly describe his time in Cleveland as a happy time in his life.

ELEVEN MONTHS AGO, Derrick Rose believed his career was over. Devastating injuries had not only scarred his physical abilities, they had chipped away at his mental resolve. He arrived in Cleveland in the fall of 2017 hoping to provide valuable veteran insight, but, he says, at times he felt like an apparition.

His voice didn’t hold weight, particularly as he battled persistent ankle injuries. Rose left the Cavs in mid-November to re-evaluate his career. He talked with mental health counselors, he says, and learned many things about himself, including how to function as an introverted leader.

Rose put up 26 points over the first two games for Cleveland with games of 14 and 12 points, but injuries and other issues cost him lots of playing time in his time with the Cavs.

Now with the Timberwolves Rose is in a better place, and he’s turned his career back around for a young team that is 21-23 this season.

Like a lot from a year ago, his time with Cleveland is now a distant memory.