When speaking to reporters on Monday following Thibodeau's firing, Rose mentioned his former coach's impact on him, but also had a very harsh message for anyone who doubts Rose can continue to be himself without Thibodeau around.
"I have a lot of confidence in myself," Rose said. "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 think that it's going to stop, kill yourself."
If that wasn't clear, Rose later doubled-down, using the phrase again:
"Like I said, for everybody that think I'm not going to play the same way, kill yourself, because I believe in myself," said Rose, whose Wolves face the Thunder on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET -- watch on fuboTV with the NBA League Pass extension).
"I have a lot of confidence in myself," Rose said. "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 think that it's going to stop, kill yourself."
If that wasn't clear, Rose later doubled-down, using the phrase again:
"Like I said, for everybody that think I'm not going to play the same way, kill yourself, because I believe in myself," said Rose, whose Wolves face the Thunder on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET -- watch on fuboTV with the NBA League Pass extension).