"Where were you when the team needed you most?" — This was the question many fans asked Leonard after the Clippers' crushing defeat by the Nuggets on January 9. Leonard's response came in the form of a small note that left people feeling both resentful and affectionate: "Taking a break from the NBA to be with family." Let's start at the beginning. In the midst of a devastating fire in Los Angeles, Leonard's home was destroyed, prompting the Clippers' superstar to leave the team to spend this difficult time with his family. However, this seemingly heartfelt decision only added to the Clippers' already precarious situation. The team was already struggling, having just suffered a humiliating loss against the Nuggets, and Leonard's temporary departure felt like another heavy blow to an already unstable ship. Opinions among fans were divided. Some believed that Leonard's actions were understandable, as who could focus on a game when their home is gone? Others, however, were not so forgiving, feeling that Leonard had repeatedly used "personal reasons" to leave the team, losing his sense of responsibility as a professional player. This time, the conflict reached a boiling point. This wasn't the first time Leonard had missed games due to personal reasons, but the circumstances were more complicated this time — the Los Angeles fires affected the homes of several NBA players, including Leonard and his teammate George. Moreover, the Clippers' owner, Ballmer, had invested $2 billion in a new arena that was now also at risk due to the fires. It's clear that the impact of…

On January 5th, Beijing time, the Chicago Bulls officially announced that they will retire Derrick Rose's No. 1 jersey during the 2025-2026 season. The Bulls' official statement reads: "Our No. 1 is forever from Chicago." This announcement was made personally by team president Michael Reinsdorf, who expressed this decision of honor during his meeting with Rose in Chicago. Reinsdorf also mentioned: "Derrick is not only a hometown hero but also an important symbol in the history of Bulls basketball. His talent is unparalleled, and what moves us most is his humility and personal charm off the court." Rose, a native of Chicago, was selected as the first overall pick by the Bulls in 2008, starting his career. Between 2009 and 2015, Rose played for the Bulls, becoming one of the most representative players in the team's history. In the 2010-2011 season, he became the youngest regular-season MVP in NBA history, leading the Bulls to the best record in the league with 62 wins and 20 losses, and guiding the team into the Eastern Conference Finals. Now, Rose's No. 1 jersey will hang alongside those of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and others in the Bulls' arena, becoming a symbol of the team's history. As the youngest regular-season MVP in NBA history, Rose's basketball skills are top-notch, whether it's his breakthroughs on the offensive end or his vision and passing in organizing the game. In the 2010-2011 season, he averaged 25 points and 7.7 assists, leading the Bulls to their best record of 62 wins and 20 losses. That year, Rose's performance…