Following the news of Timberwolves head coach and president of basketball operations Tom Thibodeau being fired, Derrick Rose praised him for signing him near the last season. While speaking to the media, Rose also sparked controversy with a message to his critics.
He was taped saying, "I have a lot of confidence in myself. Thibs was just the coach that believed in me. He jumpstarted my career, and for that I'll always be thankful. But to everybody that think that it's gonna stop, kill yourself." 
Rose later issued an apology on Twitter, writing, "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."