After Getting Blowback From Fans, New Bull Anthony Morrow Ditching Jersey No. 1 That Used To Be Derrick Rose's
By Cody Westerlund--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Like teammate Michael Carter-Williams in October, newly acquired Bulls wing Anthony Morrow has discovered just how revered former Bulls point guard Derrick Rose is by a segment of the fan base.
Traded from Oklahoma City in a five-player deal Thursday, Morrow initially selected jersey No. 1 to wear in Chicago. That's the old number of Rose, whose eight-year tenure in Chicago was marked by winning the 2011 MVP.
Around 6 p.m. Friday ahead of the Bulls' overtime win against the Suns, Morrow was informed by media members that Carter-Williams had received intense criticism on social media after choosing No. 1 in October, then surrendered the number. It was the first Morrow had heard of the situation, and he wasn't aware that No. 1 was Rose's old number in Chicago.
Morrow was well aware of that by late Friday, when he said on Twitter he'd be choosing a new number after discovering the feelings of some Bulls fans.
Morrow dressed but didn't play in Friday's game.
In October, Carter-Williams explained how he arrived on initially choosing No. 1 before backtracking.
"I've been No. 1 a lot," he said then.
"They asked me what number I wanted. I said 1. There wasn't too much discussion. I know this organization respects Derrick Rose. Like I said, it has nothing to do with stepping on anyone's toes or anything like that. He was a great player. He did a lot for the city."
Cody Westerlund is a sports editor for CBSChicago.com and covers the Bulls. He's also the co-host of the @LockedOnBulls podcast, which you can subscribe to on iTunes and Stitcher. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.