Rose: If you think Thibs' firing will impact my play, 'kill yourself'
After Sunday's firing of Minnesota Timberwolves head coach and team president Tom Thibodeau, point guard Derrick Rose aggressively called out those who expect the abrupt dismissal to affect his approach to the game.
"I have a lot of confidence in myself," Rose said Monday, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune's Chris Hine. "Thibs was just the coach that believed in me. He jump-started my career again and for that, I'll always be thankful, but for everybody that think that it's going to stop, kill yourself."
Later in Monday's media availability, Rose didn't back down from his earlier sentiment.
"Like I said, for everybody that think I'm not going to play the same way, kill yourself, because I believe in myself," he added.
Rose subsequently apologized for his choice of words:
I messed up by using the slang term “kill yourself” today in response to a question about whether I can continue to perform without coach Thibs. I did not mean it literally and regret using it so I apologize.
— Derrick Rose (@drose) January 7, 2019
Rose has had a close affiliation with Thibodeau for much of his professional career. Prior to his tenure in Minnesota, Thibodeau coached the Chicago Bulls from 2010-15, a period during which homegrown superstar Rose blossomed into the youngest MVP in league history during the 2010-11 season.
A litany of significant injuries sapped his once-exceptional athletic abilities to the point where Rose was nearly out of the league before Thibodeau signed him to a veteran's minimum contract in March. Rose has largely outperformed expectations, averaging 18.9 points and 4.8 assists per game, primarily in a reserve capacity.
Rose's phrasing is in stark contrast to the league's increased focus on mental health. In the past year, star players like the San Antonio Spurs' DeMar DeRozan (then with the Toronto Raptors) and the Cleveland Cavaliers' Kevin Love have given heartfelt testimonies about their personal struggles with anxiety and depression. Last May, the National Basketball Players Association announced the creation of their Mental Health and Wellness Program, naming former player and mental health advocate Keyon Dooling as its director.