D-Rose mentorship crucial for Memphis Grizzlies’ young guard
Since he is the son of the NBA legend and six-time champion Scottie Pippen, Scotty Pippen Jr.'s favorite team was the Chicago Bulls.
As a teenager, he watched Bulls games religiously and idolized the team's star, Derrick Rose, who played in the prime of his career in the Windy City.
A decade has passed, and Pippen Jr. finds himself as a teammate of his childhood hero.
"Derrick is someone that I grew up as a little kid going to Chicago Bulls games, and Derrick's always been cool with my dad," Pippen Jr. revealed on the Grizzlies' Grits and Grinds podcast . "It's definitely a full circle moment - being in the locker room with someone that I used to go and watch TV games of him playing."
"He gave me a lot of advice last year just from the little things he saw," the 23-year-old guard added. "He's one of the best point guards, so you always got to take that information."
Respect for D-Rose
Now well past his prime, D-Rose has taken on a new role - to be a mentor. In recent years, the 2011 NBA regular season MVP has been a cultivator of talent and a voice that resonates with young players.
He decided to sign in Memphis because he saw a role for himself as a tutor to the team's young guards - from Ja Morant to up-and-coming players like Pippen Jr., Vince Williams, and Jaylen Wells. The Grizzlies were happy to have Rose on board, inking him to a two-year deal in last year's offseason.
Pippen Jr. appreciates how the former NBA superstar finds a way to impact the team even when he is not playing.
"Derrick's definitely the O.G. leader. He tells you, especially for the point guard, the little stuff on the court – when to take certain shots and how to maneuver in the pick-and-roll. I would just say that's the main thing," Scotty said. "He's letting us know stuff he sees. If he's not playing, he's always engaged on the bench."
Scotty is beyond fulfilled that D-Rose is around to advise him on how to play the game the right way. While these two players will compete for minutes as backups in the upcoming season, the camaraderie and respect between them are high.
Related: Ranking the best seasons in Grizzlies franchise historyThis story was originally published September 21, 2024, 4:00 AM.
