CLEVELAND _ With one comment, new Cavaliers guard Derrick Rose shattered a perception that had taken shape over seven years.
Asked about finally getting to play with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, a trio the Bulls tried to land in 2010 free agency, Rose disputed the notion that he wouldn't recruit players, a practice that has become the norm in today's NBA.
"People always said I didn't recruit. I tried to recruit. I put out a video," Rose said. "But it wasn't for me to say that. I felt like the organization was supposed to say that. And they didn't."
Rose said he made a video for James, Wade and also Chris Bosh pitching the merits of playing for the Bulls. The Bulls tried to land the same "Big Three" that ended up with the Heat, even having trade talks with the Clippers centered on Luol Deng that would've created the salary cap space to sign all three.
The Tribune reported at the time that Rose made clear to James and Wade he'd be open to playing with them. A 2011 Sports Illustrated profile on Rose reported that Rose sent James one text. But the video is a new revelation.
Sources familiar with the presentation confirmed on Tuesday that Rose appeared on a video, along with other players such as Joakim Noah and coaches and executives. One source added that Rose "backed out" of accompanying the contingent that traveled to Cleveland to pitch James in person despite being invited. There was some perception at the time that Rose favored the addition of Joe Johnson, who had the same agency.
"I mean, it ain't for me to say that, but yeah, they didn't say anything about (the video)," Rose said of the Bulls. "They sent it. I don't know if (Wade, LeBron, Bosh) looked at it or played the video. But I made a video. But at the time, it wasn't for me to say that."
Asked why this is just coming out now and why he never chose to defend himself earlier, Rose said: "I just wanted to see who had my back."
Otherwise, Rose was complimentary of the Bulls and his time in Chicago. He even wished the organization well in its decision to rebuild.
The seven-year-old revelation also must be balanced with Rose's participation in the recruitment of Carmelo Anthony in 2014. Rose did make a brief appearance while Anthony toured the United Center. But Rose was a no-show at a fancy dinner for Anthony that night, angering the organization.
Rose's shy nature and loyalty to teammates always made recruiting free agents difficult for him. He once famously said, "I'm rolling with Keith (Bogans)" as his starting shooting guard.
"That's not his personality," Wade said of Rose. "Don't want to do something that's not in someone's personality. We knew he wanted us to come in. He didn't have to be on our line all the time. We knew that. We just made a decision that was better for us."
