Rose has finally called it quits, his perseverance having reached its breaking point.
Ever since he suffered that knee injury in the 2012 playoffs, any announcement of his retirement would’ve been understandable. But he pushed on for 11 more seasons, embracing a role entirely different from the youngest NBA MVP we once knew. Whatever fueled his drive to keep going, Rose stands as a model of resilience.
I see two key motivations: First, the obvious one—his love for basketball and refusal to bow to fate. Second, the massive $185 million sneaker deal he signed as a teenage phenom, which finally expired in 2024.
On October 4, 2024—just a few days from now—Rose will turn 36. Six years ago, in his darkest career moment, he nearly lost his job entirely. He played 16 games for the Cavaliers, who then traded him to the Jazz, but he never reported. Rose himself wondered why he kept fighting; retirement crossed his mind.
But he couldn’t quit. With his family and kids depending on him, he had to plan for their future. Quitting then would’ve meant walking away from $80 million in remaining contract money. And yet, money wasn’t the only thing. By 29, he’d already earned over $100 million in salary and endorsements. So why grind through minimum-salary seasons, endless training, strict diets, grueling travel, injuries, and rehabs?
Money became less a number and more a tangible goal—a light at the end of the tunnel. His target? Survive until 2024.
I’m not one for flowery metaphors about roses in the wind. Strip away the astronomical figures, and Rose’s story shows how ordinary people can face adversity.
Key lessons:
- Set a real goal, not just a vague “try hard.”Torturing yourself with empty slogans isn’t sustainable.
- Aim neither too high nor too low.A goal must challenge you without being impossible.
- Give it a deadline.Too long feels endless; too short creates crush pressure.
For Rose, that deadline was 2024. Eleven years sounds impossibly long for most, but he gritted through it. That’s what makes his journey extraordinary.
