Derrick Rose can definitely win a popularity contest during the pregame match between the US and Brazil as fans cheered for him from the introduction until the game was over.
Rose did not fail to impress during the matchup as he showed his signature moves and technique while fellow Chicago player Anthony Davis score high with 20 points during the game which greatly help the US Team beat Brazil 95-78 on Saturday night in a tune-up match for the World Cup of Basketball.
Rose popularity among the audience was impeccable appearing happy alongside fellow teammates during the game. According to Rose "I think everybody's excited. It was cool. At the same time, I can't get big-headed about it or anything like that. I've just got to keep poised."
But Rose wasn't his best during the tune-up. He had been plagued with his knee injury which greatly affected his performance thereafter. Rose had a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and a torn meniscus in his right knee during his last few seasons.
Now, the Bulls are counting on him to bring the team forward having added notable players to the squad.
According to Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau "For Derrick, there are so many positives for this. He shakes the rust off. He has a tremendous amount of pride. It's something that he wants to do and believes that he should do. I think this will be great preparation for the season."
On the other hand, Davis shots were a key to the US team's success. Brazil was neck to neck with US during the first three quarters. Luckily Davis pulled out his guns and traverse throughout the court making goals for the team.
The US Team had a five-point lead going into the fourth, in which they went on a 14-2 run to break open a 68-63 game. Klay Thompson made a 3-pointer to restart the game, and Davis finished.
On the other end of the ring, it was Tiago Splitter who scored 16 goals for Brazil. But it was evident that the crowd wanted Rose.
Rose said of the game "Playing against this competition, I was just trying to get my wind back. I am going hard at practice and pushing myself every day."
