Bulls legend Derrick Rose calls Caleb Wilson ‘delusional’ like him

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Matthew Couden

By Matthew Couden

Contributing Writer

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The Chicago Bulls are hoping they got the best pick out of the top five in the NBA Draft, as they selected North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson as their next star.

According to Bulls legend Derrick Rose, he feels he can relate to Wilson a lot in their mindsets as players, since they both have a "delusion" that pushes them to succeed on the basketball court.

"You have to be delusional in a way. I feel like he is delusional where he believes he’s the number one player. I can respect that," Rose said on Fox Chicago Sports.

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Asked if he gave any special advice to Wilson for his rookie season, Rose explained that he feels Wilson is ready for the NBA.

"I didn't talk to him that much, but I was just telling him about a gambit move. That gambit move is ... you gotta keep making a sacrifice no matter what level you're on because it's gonna make sure that you're disciplined and make sure that you're focused, and I feel like he's that," Rose also said.

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Wilson undoubtedly looked like a top-four pick during the NBA Summer League, averaging 23.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 1.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. He played in four games, including one in which he went off for 35 points to impress everyone ahead of his rookie season.

The Bulls have struggled in recent seasons, seeming unable to find the success they seemed to rediscover when Rose emerged as a young superstar who won the NBA MVP. Last season, the newest version of the Chicago Bulls finished at 31-51 and 12th in the Eastern Conference.

Their No. 4 pick will join a starting lineup that includes Josh Giddey, who averaged a team-leading 17 points, 9.1 assists, and 8.3 rebounds last season. Most likely, Wilson will step in and immediately add much more in terms of his overall game, which he's shown features skills on both ends of the court.

Could he win an NBA MVP award during his career? He may have that delusional mindset that Rose mentioned, which helped D-Rose win one three seasons deep into his career.

Wilson has drawn comparisons to All-Star players Pascal Siakam and Evan Mobley, as well as Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett, and based on his early games in Summer League, it seems he certainly has the potential to flourish as the next major star in Chicago.