Bulls G Derrick Rose’s “dedication and desire to make those around him proud makes it easier to understand why Rose has developed such a special brand” with adidas over the past few years, according to Nick Friedell of ESPN CHICAGO. Rose said of adidas, “It's been great, man. Where they keep me in touch with everything. They're marketing me great, putting me all over the world. It's crazy when you go over to the Philippines and you're just riding in a van and the bus passes you, and you're on the back of the bus." He added, "They're loyal. They stayed with me for a long time." When hearing adidas VP/Global Basketball Lawrence Norman discuss the relationship he and adidas have with Rose, it is “clear that Norman views the superstar as more than just a spokesperson for the company.” Norman said, "We've been around a lot of athletes and loyalty is important to all of them. Whether it's Derrick or [Magic C] Dwight (Howard), these are very loyal, great athletes and we're lucky to be with the best center and the best point guard in the game.” Norman said that he told Rose during his rookie season, "We're going to wait two years to get a signature shoe.” He added, “We kept all our promises and I think that it was very important to him, at the beginning of our partnership to trust us. And it was as important, or more important, for us to live up to those promises." Friedell noted the second part of the equation for Norman is “how Rose can continue to grow with his company.” Norman: "On our side, it's how to grow together. … As his style of play continues to evolve and he gets stronger, we're looking to continue to learn about what products we need to build to protect him" (ESPNCHICAGO.com, 3/12).
TWO'S A CROWD? ESPN’s Michael Wilbon on "PTI" yesterday discussed the report that the Bulls may be interested in trading for Magic C Dwight Howard, but Howard is not interested in joining fellow adidas endorser Rose in Chicago. Wilbon: “There’s some sense that adidas doesn’t want them in the same market. ... I can’t imagine that they would want it, just having black-and-red, one market dominant. You’ve got to get him somewhere else, and I think adidas, despite their denial, could be involved and having some influence here.” ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser said, “This is what happens in college. They’re beginning to run the NBA too?” (“PTI,” ESPN, 3/12).
