Is This the End for Derrick Rose?

Alright folks, it looks like we might be witnessing the final chapter of Derrick Rose’s NBA career. According to various reports, the Memphis Grizzlies have officially waived Derrick Rose, and now the big question is: Is this it? Will Rose hang up his sneakers for good?

It’s hard not to feel a little emotional when thinking about Rose’s career. Injuries robbed him of what could’ve easily been a Hall of Fame legacy. Let’s not forget, this guy was the youngest MVP in league history at just 22 years old. Not even prime Russ could replicate the explosive power Rose brought to the court. Think Ja Morant's aerial acrobatics but on steroids, and that's saying something.

Whether Rose calls it quits now or finds a team for one last hurrah, he’s already cemented as one of the NBA’s greatest what could’ve been stories. If you loved watching him at his peak, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Either way, his impact on the game will never be forgotten.

A Year of Celebration for Vince Carter

2024 is shaping up to be a massive year for Carter’s legacy, and rightfully so. The Toronto Raptors just announced they’ll be retiring Carter’s iconic No. 15 jersey in a special ceremony on Nov. 2, as part of their 30th NBA season celebration. And if that wasn’t enough, the Brooklyn Nets are hanging his jersey in the rafters too.

Vince Carter was the Raptors in their early years. Coming from Florida and UNC, moving to Toronto must’ve been a culture shock, but he didn’t just adapt, he became a legend. He helped launch the Raptors into the mainstream and earned the nickname Half-Man/Half-Amazing along the way. Eight All-Star appearances, a legendary dunk contest, and countless poster-worthy highlights later, Carter will be the first player in franchise history to have his jersey retired. Sure, there’s some baggage from how things ended in Toronto, but let’s face it, nothing changes the fact that Carter put the Raptors on the map.

Knicks Hit with a Major Setback

It looks like New York will be without starting center Mitchell Robinson for the first couple months of the season. After undergoing offseason ankle surgery, Robinson isn't expected to be back on the court until at least December, or possibly even January.

Robinson initially hurt his ankle last December and had surgery to fix it. He made a return in March, only to re-injure the same ankle during the Knicks’ playoff series against the Sixers. A second surgery followed in May, with a hopeful six-to-eight-week recovery timeline. Clearly, things didn’t go according to plan.

Now, with Robinson on the sidelines and Isaiah Hartenstein gone in free agency, the Knicks' frontcourt looks really thin. The lack of depth at center is officially the biggest concern as the season kicks off. Knicks fans, brace yourselves for a bumpy start.

Zach LaVine Sticking with the Bulls Amid Trade Rumors

Zach LaVine’s future with the Chicago Bulls has been a hot topic all offseason. With the Bulls entering what looks like a full-on youth movement, LaVine’s name has popped up in countless trade discussions. DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, and Andre Drummond are all gone. LaVine is now left as the franchise player….without much of a franchise.

But here's the good news (or at least, not-bad news) LaVine and the Bulls have reached an understanding. He has vowed not to let his uncertain status affect the team’s development and won’t stand in the way of younger players' growth. For now, it seems LaVine will keep things drama-free in Chicago. But with the trade deadline looming later in the season, we’ll have to see if this understanding sticks.

First-Round Drama: Brooms Might Be Coming Out

The WNBA playoffs are in full swing, and as we head into the second games of the first round, some teams are already teetering on the edge of getting swept. Things are about to get clean or messy, depending on which side you're rooting for.

In case you need a quick refresher we've got your back, here’s how the playoff format shakes out:

These first-round series are best-of-three with a 2-1 format, which means the higher seed gets to host Games 1 and 2. If they take care of business at home, they can wrap up the series without even packing a bag for a road game. But if the lower seed manages to steal one of those games, they’ll host a winner-takes-all Game 3. So, it’s do-or-die for some teams right now.

Once we hit the semifinals, the format switches up to a best-of-five. The higher seed gets home court for Games 1, 2, and, if needed, Game 5. The lower seed gets to host Game 3 and potentially Game 4. So there’s still room for a dramatic comeback if things get tight.

And then, of course, we’ve got the WNBA Finals, also a best-of-five. Just like before, the higher seed has homecourt for Games 1, 2, and, if necessary, Game 5. The lower seed holds down the fort for Games 3 and 4.

So, will we see some teams get swept out of the playoffs this round? Or will the underdogs fight their way to a Game 3 showdown? Either way, the drama is just getting started.

That’s all for today, thanks for reading.

We’ll see you tomorrow!

— The Players Unlimited Team