Minnesota Timberwolves' Derrick Rose tells doubters 'kill yourself,' then apologizes
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Derrick Rose #25 of the Minnesota Timberwolves watches from the bench as teammates take on the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 26, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Derrick Rose suffered yet another injury Monday -- though this one was self-inflicted.
Rose, who's bounced back to All-Star form after several disappointing and injury-riddled seasons, told reporters anyone who doubts the sustainability of his recent success should "kill yourself." The remark came after a question about how the firing of Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau might affect Rose going forward.
“I have a lot of confidence in myself,” he said, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. “Thibs was just the coach that believed in me. He jump-started my career again and for that I'll always be thankful, but for everybody that thinks that it's going to stop, kill yourself.”
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FORMER TURKISH NBA PLAYER SLAMS KNICKS' ENES KANTER OVER DECISION TO SKIP LONDON GAME
Later in the same interview, Rose doubled down on the controversial comments.
“Like I said, for everybody that think I'm not going to play the same way, kill yourself, because I believe in myself,” he said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}But, eventually, Rose got wind of the growing backlash and took to Twitter to apologize.
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“I messed up by using the slang term ‘kill yourself’ today in response to a question about whether I can continue to perform without coach Thibs. I did not mean it literally and regret using it so I apologize,” he tweeted.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Rose has played in 32 games for Minnesota, averaging 18.9 points and 4.8 assists. He’s been sidelined with an ankle injury since Dec. 28.