Derrick Rose named 2010 NBA All-Star

January 28, 2010—Bulls guard and Chicago native Derrick Rose has been named as a reserve on the Eastern Conference All-Star team, which will play in the 59th NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010.

“I was in awe just thinking about it,” said Rose after the announcement was formally made on TNT. “I’m happy for the organization and I know they’re happy for me. My teammates, I wouldn’t be here without them. The coaching staff has been doing a good job. I’m just in awe right now.”

Rose becomes the first Bulls player to attain All-Star status since Michael Jordan in 1998.

The Bulls just became a big time player in the 2010 free agency sweepstakes.

Perhaps they were before with likely enough salary cap room to pay a maximum contract once they make another deal, one of the nation’s three largest markets—which appeals to advertisers and shoe companies—and a franchise with six championships and the legacy of Michael Jordan as tradition.

But now Chicago is likely to seem more appealing because the Bulls have an official star.

Derrick Rose Thursday was selected by the Eastern Conference coaches to fill out the Eastern Conference All-Star team for the big weekend and game in Dallas Feb. 14.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Derrick.

Chicago loves you.

Now the Eastern coaches do, and soon the entire NBA world will too.

Don’t minimize this. Rose’s selection is a significant moment in the history of the Bulls franchise.

There only have been 12 All-Stars in the history of the franchise: Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Guy Rodgers, Jerry Sloan, Bob Boozer, Chet Walker, Bob Love, Norm Van Lier, Artis Gilmore, Reggie Theus, B.J. Armstrong and Horace Grant.

Rose is the youngest Bull ever to be an All-Star.

And in some respects, Rose will be the one of the most seen players of All-Star weekend with a triple play of participation playing in the rookie/sophomore game, defending his title in the skills challenge and playing in the Sunday special.

What’s been extraordinary about Rose’s accomplishment is that it is coming in his second season in the NBA, and having just turned 21 years old, Rose is becoming the team’s scoring leader by necessity and carrying the team down the stretch in games, like on this Western Conference road trip.