Image via Complex Original
Don’t call it a comeback.
Tonight, Chi-town born Derrick Rose makes his grand return to Chicago—as a member of the New York Knicks. His Knicks (1-3) play the Bulls (3-1) at the United Center, where another returning Chi-town favorite son awaits him—Dwyane Wade.
Wade came back to his home town last summer signing a two-year, $47 million deal with the the Bulls after Miami Heat team president Pat Riley decided he didn't like the future Hall of Famer's price tag.
But homecoming, welcome home, the grand return, whatever—this is about the matchup of Derrick Rose vs. Dwyane Wade. Rose and Wade have gone head-to-head 19 times since the 2008-2009 season. Wade holds an 11-8 record against Rose, but that was then. New year, new teams. These are the five best games in their rivalry.
February 2, 2010
Location: United Center, Chicago
Wade stats: 20 PTS, 6 REBS, 8 AST, 2 STL, 3 TOV
Rose stats: 24 PTS, 5 REBS, 2 AST, 3 TOV
Final score: Bulls 95, Heat 91
One of their earlier meetings, Wade was in his prime and Rose was just entering his. This was before you had to ask for the CarFax on either one’s knees; when Rose still dunked during games and D-Wade could stop on a dime and hit those line-drive bankers. Young Rose got the better of this one, leading Chicago to a close win in a back-and-forth game.
April 7, 2016
Location: American Airlines Arena, Miami
Wade stats: 21 PTS, 5 REBS, 4 AST, 1 STL, 4 TOV
Rose stats: 17 PTS, 3 REBS, 3 AST, 2 STL, 2 TOV
Final score: Heat 106, Bulls 98
This one’s from last season, featuring the Father Prime version of Wade and the Derrick Rose people weren’t really checking for anymore. Rose started fast, but it was Wade and Miami who closed the show. He took over down the stretch, as he’s known to do, sinking then-ninth seed Chicago’s playoff hopes in 2016. It was the most recent meeting between the two.
January 25, 2015
Location: United Center, Chicago
Wade stats: 26 PTS, 3 REBS, 3 AST
Rose stats: 19 PTS, 2 REBS, 4 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK
Final score: Heat 96, Bulls 84
This game was significant because it was the first season for Wade without LeBron James, and the first time Rose had played more than 10 games since 2012. And washed Wade cooked Rose. And Joakim Noah. And current-teammate Jimmy Butler. Rose had his moments, and showed flashes of his former MVP self, but Wade torched Chicago down the stretch. Wade bodied Rose on the block every time he saw him, on his way to 12 fourth-quarter points.
March 9, 2009
Location: American Airlines Arena, Miami
Wade stats: 48 PTS, 6 REBS, 12 AST, 4 STL, 3 BLK
Rose stats: 23 PTS, 9 REBS 3 AST, 2 STL
Final score: Heat 130, Bulls 127
Wade erupted in this modern-day NBA classic. He carried career-reserves Udonis Haslem, Jamario Moon, Mario Chalmers, and an ancient Jermaine O’Neal to a thrilling double-overtime victory. Rose couldn’t keep up, shooting just 36 percent from the floor (9-25). The individual matchup was a blowout. This game makes the list because it was one of the finer performances of Wade’s career, complete with a clutch steal and buzzer-beating running 3-pointer for the Heat ‘dub.
January 15, 2011
Location: United Center, Chicago
Wade stats: 33 PTS, 6 REBS, 4 AST, 5 BLK
Rose stats: 34 PTS, 4 REBS, 8 AST, 3 ALK
Final score: Bulls 99, Heat 96
This was hands-down the greatest matchup between the two, and one of the better superstar matchups in recent memory. It was a game of H-O-R-S-E at the highest level of the sport. Dunks, crossovers, threes—it had it all. And both kept up with one another shot-for-shot down the stretch. In the end, Rose topped Wade. He went on to win NBA MVP honors that season, but Wade’s Heat got the last laugh when they eliminated Chicago from the playoffs in five games.
When they take the court Friday, they won’t be asked to do it all. Both are secondary options this season, Rose to Carmelo Anthony and Wade to Butler, but they’re still playing at a high level. Hopefully, once we get past the sappy break-up to make-up television productions, there’s another great head-to-head left in them.
