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With an MVP award, a Rookie of the Year trophy, three All-Star appearances, and other accomplishments, New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose has earned the love and admiration of NBA fans throughout his career. Since being drafted first overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by his hometown Chicago Bulls, Rose has captivated basketball fans with his athleticism, while his shooting has improved over the course of his career.
While Rose was slowed down by knee injuries after his third season and eventually left the Bulls, he has been rejuvenated recently right until he joined the Knicks and helped the team return to the playoffs. The 32-year-old has certainly had a lot of memorable performances during his 12 seasons in the league that he spent with five different teams. Here are some of them, which we paired with some of Boozy’s best deals this October:
1. Belvedere 700ml - 36 points against Celtics in 1st playoff game (2009)
The Belvedere is considered as the world’s first super-premium vodka and the pinnacle of the Polish vodka making tradition. The drink is distilled from Dankowskie Gold Rye and quadruple distilled to ensure its high quality as well as a balance of character and purity. The Belvedere has a structured and elegant taste profile with hints of almond, vanilla, and white pepper and a subtle, sweet, velvety mouthfeel and a smooth, clean finish.
Image from House of Highlights
If the world’s first super-premium vodka is a quality drink, then the same could be said about Derrick Rose’s first playoff game, which happened in 2009 in the first round against the Boston Celtics. Facing the defending NBA champions, the young Rose was unfazed, dropping 36 points, 4 rebounds, and 11 assists, including 11 points in the fourth quarter. His efforts did not go to waste, as the Bulls went on to beat the Celtics in overtime, 105-103, and his first taste of playoff action was one his fans and the basketball world will never forget.
2. Kanto Salted Caramel Vodka 700ml - Career-high 50 points vs. Jazz (2018)
For each country, there is a distinct style of drinking, and the same can be said of Filipinos. The tagayan style of drinking is something that is distinctly Pinoy and forms a camaraderie between friends and family members. The Kanto Salted Caramel Vodka, which is dubbed as the “Hari ng Kanto,” is a homage and pays tribute to the Pinoy style of drinking and brings back memories of nights out with friends, family, or colleagues.
Just like the Kanto Salted Caramel Vodka, this game is also a throwback and serves as a tribute to the Derrick Rose of the past, who was an MVP winner and one of the best guards in the NBA. By 2018, he was already playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves. But on October 31, he captured the attention of the sporting world once more when he erupted for a career-high 50 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals in the Wolves’ 128-125 victory over the Utah Jazz. This game did not happen in the playoffs, but for one night he showcased what the athletic guard was capable of and how he performs when at his best.
3. Stolichnaya 750ml - 31 points and game-winner in Eastern Conference Semifinals (2015)
The Stolichnaya is a classically styled and exceptionally smooth vodka. With clear color, marshmallow, mineral, and fruit peel aromas, while having pastry frosting, talc, and citrus rind flavors. Aside from having qualities like being fresh, clean, and smooth, the Stolichnaya’s soft, supple entry that leads to a smooth, medium palate makes it a must-try vodka.
Image from AL's Highlights World
Similarly, no list of classic Derrick Rose games would be complete without his performance in Game 3 of the 2015 Eastern Conference Semifinals against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. With the series tied and the Bulls playing at home, Rose finished with 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. But what truly elevated this game to a classic was its ending, when Rose sank a fallaway three-pointer at the buzzer to give Chicago a 99-96 victory and a 2-1 lead in the series. Who can forget his nonchalant reaction as teammates mobbed him while the rest of the United Center crowd celebrated? If the Stolichnaya is a classic vodka, then this is a classic DRose moment.
4. Absolut Blue 1L + 2 Cali Pineapple 330ml cans - 30 points against the Celtics during 1st stint with Knicks (2017)
The Absolut Blue Vodka is already a familiar one for drinkers. With a meticulous distilling process, all-natural ingredients, and no added sugars, the Absolut Blue is a smooth, crisp, and clear vodka. It is clean and crisp on the nose, and rich, full-bloodied, and complex on the palate, with a subtle grain finish with a hint of dried fruit. With its ingredients taken from a small village in Sweden, the Absolut is the world’s largest locally produced vodka.
Image from GD's Latest Highlights
Even though he was hounded by knee issues, Rose showed that he is capable of recapturing his old form and showcasing his crisp, smooth game. This was exactly what happened during his first stint with the New York Knicks back in the 2016-2017 season. While the Knicks struggled, the former MVP thrived in his role and had several strong performances, including a January 18 game against the Boston Celtics. Rose erupted for 30 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, torching every defender the Celtics threw his way and leading New York to a 117-106 road victory in one of his best post-Bulls performances.
5. Grey Goose Vodka 750ml - 44 points in 2011 playoffs after being named MVP
With claims as to the world’s best tasting vodka, the Grey Goose Vodka is made from the best ingredients from the best regions in France - soft winter wheat from Picardy and pure spring water from the Cognac region. These ingredients create flavors of cherry, apricot, black pepper, vanilla, and sweet citrus, among others, and combine to create a vodka of uncommon balance, unparalleled smoothness, and exceptional taste.
As it happens, one of Derrick Rose’s most memorable games also happened during the time when he was considered the best player in the league. Just three days after being named as the youngest MVP in NBA history, the 22-year-old erupted for 44 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists to help the Bulls to a 99-82 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in Game 3 of the 2011 Eastern Conference Semifinals. Rose was aggressive from tip-off, scoring 17 in the first quarter before finishing with 44 in his best playoff series as he helped Chicago advance to the Conference Finals.
6. Smirnoff Red 700ml - 31 points against Suns as a Piston (2020)
With a pure, clean, and ultra-smooth taste, the Smirnoff Red gives drinkers a classic taste of Russian vodka. It is clean on the palate, with subtle minerality with cracked black pepper spice, and a faint sensation of peppermint freshness. If you want a classic Russian vodka, you may want to consider pouring a glass of the Smirnoff Red for your next drink.
Before rejoining his former head coach Tom Thibodeau and the New York Knicks last season, Rose was last seen with the Detroit Pistons, where he thrived in a sixth-man role. In one of his best games in the Motor City, Rose could not be stopped and had a classic performance, scoring 31 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists and leading Detroit to a 113-111 victory over the Phoenix Suns on February 28. What makes this game more impressive is that he did not shoot any free throws and made just a single three-pointer. Even after multiple injuries, Rose has proven that he can recapture his old, deadly form on some nights.
Throughout his 12 years in the NBA, Derrick Rose has given basketball fans countless performances that showcase his skill and athleticism. So before another season tips off, you may want to look back at some of his best games while enjoying drinks from Boozy that you can purchase on friendly deals during the month of October.
