Derrick Rose, the youngest MVP in NBA history, has never lacked faithful supporters in China from the moment he put on that iconic Bulls’ jersey. And despite the ups and downs of recent years, that loyalty hasn’t gone away.

That case was clearly made at the weekend. After watching a tribute video presented by Chinese fans at an Adidas promotional event in Shenyang on Sept 3, Rose was visibly touched, wiping away his tears.

Earlier in July, Cleveland signed D-Rose as a free agent on a one-year contract at the veteran’s minimum salary of $2.1 million, even after averaging 18 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists with the dysfunctional New York Knicks last season.

Honorary Beijinger and former NBA player Stephon Marbury weighed in on Rose’s low salary. “I think it’s a crime that Derrick Rose is being paid this amount of money, when you have guys that can’t chew gum and walk making more,” tweeted the CBA star.

Chicago born and raised, Rose first came to prominence in high school, leading Simeon Career Academy to two consecutive championships in Illinois. In college he played for the Memphis Tigers, taking them to the most wins in NCAA history and an appearance in the finals.

In 2008, Rose was selected as the first overall pick in the NBA draft by his home team the Chicago Bulls. As a rookie, Rose began his meteoric rise in the world’s elite basketball league, quickly becoming an all-star point guard.

According to an ESPN report in 2010, Rose had the fourth bestselling jersey in the league. And his jersey topped China’s best-sellers in 2014-15, according to Sports Illustrated.

Things went dicey and derailed as recurring injuries badgered Rose. On April 28, 2012, Rose tore the ACL in his left knee during the first round of the playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers, sidelining him for the entire 2012-13 season.

Rose returned the court for just 10 regular games in 2013-14, tearing his meniscus in his right knee against the Portland Trail Blazers on Nov 22, resulting in another season-ending injury.

Knee injuries continued to riddle him the following season, causing him to miss 30 games. In June 2016, he was traded to the New York Knicks.

Ardent fans have speculated on his injuries for a number of years, with many concluding they’ve come about due to his fierce crossover putting strain on his knees and joints. Many have tried to persuade Rose to change his aggressive style.

Cases of players changing their playing styles are not hard to find. Ray Allen debuted in the NBA as a dunker, but later became one of the most accurate and clutch three-point shooters in NBA history.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Rose described himself as stubborn. “I like moving at my own pace. So as long as I’m not harming anybody, I feel like I’ve got the right to do that. People think that I’m cocky, reckless, unruly. That’s not me. That’s not who I portray myself as. But it’s not up to me to care or worry about that. My family and friends know the person that I really am.”

During his tour of Shenyang, the organizers invited Rose to coach a training session for young basketball players at No 31 Middle School on Sept 2.

Rose said it was a pleasure to see so many young talented basketball players in China and gave tips on how to build physical strength and tactical coordination.

During a visit to Lanxiong Sport in Beijing on Sept 1, Rose opened up about joining the Cavs for this season. “A lot of people were probably thinking, ‘Man, he’s competed against LeBron for seven or six years straight. How could he join them?’ They gotta understand this is a different part of my career. I’m not with the Bulls anymore.”

“I didn’t make the playoffs in two years. Like, I haven’t felt that in two years,” Rose added. “My mind says it’s gonna change. I’m going to join [the Cavaliers], and like I said, I’m in a different part of my career and I wanna be happy. I don’t want to take a lot of money or take money and go to a losing team.”

“I’d rather it like I did. Take less. Go to a winning team. Produce. Then, if I decided leave or stay, or whatever, I have the option to. But, I want to show the people that I can still play, and that I’m very good,” Rose said.

Derrick Rose weeps after watching a tribute video produced by Chinese fans at a promotional event for his new Adidas shoes in Shenyang, Liaoning province on Sept 3, 2017. [Photo/SOLE]