The year was 2017, and Derrick Rose had just been traded to the New York Knicks. Knicks fans were hopeful that Rose, a former MVP, could help turn around the struggling franchise. However, things didn’t go exactly as planned. While Rose had some strong performances, the Knicks struggled overall and missed the playoffs once again.

The Birth of the Meme

Despite the disappointing season, there was one moment that stood out to Knicks fans. In a game against the San Antonio Spurs, Rose went missing for a few hours before the game. He later claimed that he had to go home to Chicago to deal with a family emergency. However, the internet wasn’t buying it. Within hours, memes began popping up all over social media mocking Rose’s absence.

One popular meme was a picture of Rose in a Knicks uniform with the words “went to get a pack of smokes” written underneath. Another showed a picture of Rose’s face superimposed onto the “Where’s Waldo?” character.

The Spread of the Meme

The memes quickly spread beyond Knicks fans and became a viral sensation. Sports websites and social media accounts began sharing the memes, and even non-sports fans were getting in on the joke. The meme became so popular that it even made its way onto national television.

During a game against the Boston Celtics, the Celtics’ announcers brought up the meme and joked about Rose’s absence. Even Rose’s own teammates got in on the fun. Joakim Noah, who had played with Rose on the Chicago Bulls, tweeted a picture of himself wearing a “Where’s Derrick?” t-shirt.

The Backlash

While the meme was initially just a harmless joke, it eventually began to receive some backlash. Some fans felt that the meme was making light of a serious situation. Others felt that it was disrespectful to Rose, who had been dealing with a lot of personal issues at the time.

One Twitter user wrote, “It’s not cool to make fun of someone’s personal life, no matter how famous they are. Derrick Rose is a human being, not a meme.”

The Aftermath

Eventually, the meme died down and was mostly forgotten. Rose continued to play for the Knicks for one more season before signing with the Minnesota Timberwolves. While he never quite lived up to his MVP form, he remained a solid player and even earned the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2019.

Looking back on the meme now, it’s clear that it was just a product of the internet’s tendency to make fun of anything and everything. While it may have been disrespectful at times, it was mostly harmless and served as a reminder that sports fans can find humor in even the most serious situations.

Responses from Fans and Critics

Positive Response:

“I remember seeing those memes everywhere. It was hilarious at the time, and I think it just showed how creative people can be on the internet. I don’t think anyone meant any harm by it, and I’m sure Rose himself would have laughed it off if he saw it.”

Negative Response:

“I thought the meme was really disrespectful. Derrick Rose was going through a tough time, and people were just making fun of him. It’s not cool to joke about someone’s personal issues, no matter who they are.”

Neutral Response:

“I can see both sides of it. On one hand, it was just a harmless joke that got blown out of proportion. On the other hand, it did cross a line at times and was probably hurtful to Rose. Overall, though, I think it was just a silly meme that we can all look back on and laugh.”