Lakers Champion Dwight Howard Sends Viral Message To Derrick Rose

Dwight Howard sent out a post after Derrick Rose announced his retirement.

Mar 7, 2022; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (39) looks up in the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images / Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

Back in 2011, Dwight Howard and Derrick Rose were two of the best ten players in the NBA.

That season, Rose won the MVP Award, while Howard came in second (and won Defensive Player of The Year).

Dec. 1, 2010; Chicago, IL, USA; Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) goes up to block the shot of Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose (1) in the second half at the United Center. The Magic defeated the Bulls 107-78. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-Imagn Images / Dennis Wierzbicki-Imagn Images

On Thursday, Rose announced that he is retiring after 15 seasons playing in the NBA.

Via Shams Charania of The Athletic: "After 15 NBA seasons, Derrick Rose is retiring from basketball. Rose, the youngest MVP in NBA history, tells @TheAthletic: "The next chapter is about chasing my dreams and sharing my growth.""

After 15 NBA seasons, Derrick Rose is retiring from basketball. Rose, the youngest MVP in NBA history, tells @TheAthletic: "The next chapter is about chasing my dreams and sharing my growth." pic.twitter.com/KYruqeKUPy

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 26, 2024

One person to react to the news was Howard.

Howard's post went viral and had over 16,000 likes and 300,000 impressions in ten hours.

Howard wrote: "Congrats on an Amazing Career Rose 💪🏾 people don’t realize the average career of an NBA player is 4.5 years so for you to play 15 seasons despite what you went through with injuries shows how much of a fighter you were ! Enjoy your retirement brother if you ever miss the court let me know come play in my league for a game or 2 😂💪🏾"

Congrats on an Amazing Career Rose 💪🏾 people don’t realize the average career of an NBA player is 4.5 years so for you to play 15 seasons despite what you went through with injuries shows how much of a fighter you were ! Enjoy your retirement brother if you ever miss the court… pic.twitter.com/l70WQJ7oBf

— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) September 26, 2024

Rose played for the Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers.

He finished his final season in the NBA with averages of 8.0 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists per contest while shooting 46.1% from the field and 36.6% from the three-point range in 24 games for the Grizzlies.

Derrick Rose on the Bulls was on another level 🌹 pic.twitter.com/zjaVrh9QwJ

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 20, 2020

As for Howard, the eight-time NBA All-Star last played in the league during the 2022 season.

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