It was once believed that Derrick Rose would be the NBA’s future. In addition to signing a big contract with Adidas that was meant to make him one of the company’s biggest stars, he became the youngest player in history to win MVP. Some fans even argued that his story would have been more complete if Derrick Rose had retired as a Chicago Bulls player, cementing his legacy in the city where it all began.

Many people thought his shoes would become popular and influence sneaker culture. But due to injuries, bad designs, and changing trends, the deal was one of basketball’s biggest letdowns. Interestingly, Adidas had success elsewhere, proving that big-money investments could still work—like when James Harden’s $200 million Adidas deal turned into a gamble that paid off.

Why Was Derrick Rose

See Full Page