When the Chicago Bulls host the New York Knicks at United Center Saturday night, it won't just be another game on the NBA schedule. For many Bulls' fans, it'll be a trip down memory lane as the team honors Chicago's very own Derrick Rose, who announced his retirement from professional basketball last year. Rose won't be the only former Bull returning that night...
With regular TV play-by-play voice Adam Amin on "NFL on FOX" assignment Sunday in Arlington, TX calling the Washington Commanders/Dallas Cowboys' game with onetime former Bears' QB Mark Sanchez & sideline reporter Kristina Pink, the Bulls & CHSN are bringing back a familiar face & voice to call Saturday's Knicks/Bulls' game at United Center.
He is Neil Funk, who retired in the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season. Funk, now 78, was the audio soundtrack of the Bulls' 5 of 6 NBA Championships in the '90s before shifting to TV in 2008 until his retirement. Funk will also serve as host for the extended halftime ceremony in which the Bulls will honor Rose.
It's unclear if the Bulls will cap off the special event by retiring his #1 jersey. Rose won the NBA MVP in 2011, the youngest player in league history to do so at age 22 and 7 months.
For those that do have CHSN, the Bulls' new TV home has special programming in honor of Rose, starting with a special episode of "The Chicago Lead". Hosts Brooke Fletcher, Camron Smith & The SCORE's David Haugh will devote the hour to Rose's career tonight at 6P with a replay Saturday at 5P. A special one hour "Bulls Countdown Live", complete with comments from former Bulls & current Knicks' Head Coach Tom Thibodeau and the Simeon High School Basketball team in the audience will follow at 6P (CT) Saturday night leading directly into the game broadcast with Funk, Stacey King & K.C. Johnson.
CHSN will also forgo its regular "Halftime Live" to air the Rose ceremony in its entirety. The network will also air a "Dozen Roses" vignettes, showcasing compelling stories of Rose's life and career from his days at Simeon to a 16 year NBA career from Chicago's West Side all the way to Memphis.
One has to hope that CHSN & Comcast/Xfinity will come to terms on a carriage deal in time for many fans to actually watch all the pomp & circumstance of Derrick Rose Night this Saturday, but at last check, there hasn't been much progress regarding such a deal.
on January 2, 2025, 1:45 pm