“MVP! MVP!”

It only took 17 months and three preseason games, but it seems like the Chicago faithful have finally forgiven Derrick Rose. 

Rose scored 22 points in his long-awaited return to the United Center court to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 96-81 preseason victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night.

He also – unofficially – set a new record for the earliest “MVP!”chant in the history of the NBA.

Watching the game, I actually had to do a double take to check if I was watching League Pass or an old YouTube clip of Derrick Rose highlights.

The way he was attacking the rim, shaking off defenders, crossing over, shaking and backing, and finishing almost made feel that he had never missed a game.

The ovation began during the introduction and continued all throughout the first half. The loudest the ovation ever got was during a play in which Rose had Peyton Siva going back to retrieve his ankles with a wicked crossover and flipped the ball in off the glass over Andre Drummond as he crashed to the floor. Rose knocked down the free throw to complete the three-point play.

Signed sealed and delivered!

The ‘Return’ is now complete and we can go back to admiring one of the best players in the world doin’ work.

We can also look forward to beloved Bulls announcer – Stacey King – come up with some new and whacky ways to describe Derrick Rose’s moves. The most recent one “Derrick Rose University” had me all ready to put away those old Youtube clips and get ready for some news ones.

“MVP! MVP!”