“So I Could Go Dunk Like Derrick Rose”: Darius Garland Highlights 2011 MVP’s Influence Growing Up

Darius Garland may be enjoying the best season of his career as an integral part of the NBA-leading Cleveland Cavaliers, but as a kid growing up in Gary, Indiana, he drew inspiration not from his hometown Pacers or from LeBron James, the star of his future team, but from one of the Cavs Central Division rivals.

Garlands recent appearance on The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis was illuminating for a number of reasons.

He discussed everything that has made the Cavs such a dominant team this year, from his own personal work in the offseason to getting on the same page as Donovan Mitchell and to having Kenny Atkinson as a head coach.

After that, he moved on to his idol growing up, Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls.

Garland talked about how he used to watch the Bulls because they were his grandmothers favorite team.

He enjoyed watching guys like Kirk Heinrich and Ben Gordon, but he said that Rose was so important to him as a kid that his is the only jersey hes ever owned.

Roses game inspired Garland in so many ways, even if he couldnt hope to ever match the athleticism of the youngest MVP in NBA history.

Darius Garland is just one of a whole generation of players that were inspired by Derrick Rose Roses career may have been sidetracked by injury, but his accomplishments still reverberate around the NBA.

From uber-athletic guards in Roses mold like Ja Morant to players like Garland who have overcome knee surgery (he suffered a torn meniscus while in college), Roses influence can be seen throughout the league.

Rose was never able to win a championship, but Garland and his 36-6 Cavs are in prime position to make a run at one.

Even though he cant dunk like D-Rose, Garlands contributions are a big reason why, as hes averaging 21.1 points and 6.8 assists on a career-best 42.7 percent shooting from three.

Hell face a huge test tomorrow night when the Cavs travel to Houston to take on the 28-14 Rockets..

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