Derrick Rose on the isolation of stardom and living in Michael Jordan’s shadow

Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose is on the cover of the May issue of GQ magazine. The reigning MVP discussed the strain and isolation of playing in his hometown. Plus playing in Michael Jordan’s shadow.

Derrick Rose on being compared to Michael Jordan: “…His titles drive me. What’s wrong with getting close to the best person that ever played the game? I’m not scared of him; if anything, it makes me work harder when I do train.”

 

…on the attention he receives for his playing: “The more you win, the more they come. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t take anything for granted. But it seems like the better I play, the more attention I get. And I can’t get away from it. You play great, you get attention. But I hate attention. It is weird. I’m in a bind.”

 

…on LeBron’s infamous on-air decision to go to the Heat: “I won’t ever put myself in a bad position so that people can say bad things about me. I make smart decisions… I’m very mature for 23 years old, and I know that whatever I do can hurt someone.”

 

…on the people of Chicago: “Chicago isn’t used to stardom.  …They don’t know how to act toward celebrity. So I always have someone with me. I can have a hat on, glasses on, whatever. People still notice me. If I go outside without a hat on, I feel like I’m naked. This life doesn’t fit my personality.”

 

…on feeling like a recluse: “It gets on my nerves that I can’t just go out. It’s just boundaries now, people are like, ‘You can’t go here, you can’t go there, you got to let that person know where you’re going.’ It’s just weird. I’m never alone. Ever.”

 

…on Obama being a fan of his: “I remember when he wasn’t our president, when I was a kid, when he’d just be walking down the street, a state senator. He was just always there. I didn’t appreciate it then. I was in high school and just wanted to see rappers.”

The issue hits newsstands April 24th. Check out more of the interview at GQ