An important piece of Derrick Rose's basketball journey follows him every step of the way. To each city, state and game, Rose packs his special basketball with a defined meaning.

The three pound weighted basketball is approximately twice the size of a regular NBA ball. It's orange with no stripes — just words of wisdom and quotes that Rose lives by written via a black marker.

The significance of the weighted ball goes back to when Rose spent many days rehabbing while dealing with knee injuries that somewhat altered the trajectory of the former MVP's career. He couldn't do much running or jumping, so the three pound ball provided the keys on how Rose would need to transform from a high-flying explosive guard to a better shooter to extend his NBA career.

Now, before each game during his warmups, Rose, 35, shoots with his orange, weighted basketball before picking up the NBA's leathered Wilson ball. He's repeated that routine for the last 10 years.

"That's the only reason why I'm still here," Rose told The Commercial Appeal, referring to his ball. "I was just trying to find my way through the game and being capable from the outside, and I think I've been doing that."

Sixteen years into a storied NBA career, that ball represents one way Rose is still finding his way. On the court, opportunity in Memphis has presented itself for Rose to be an impactful role player again after sitting most of last season with the New York Knicks.

Derrick Rose's multiple connections to Memphis

For that chance to come in Memphis, where Rose played one season of college basketball, doesn't feel like a coincidence. Rose is a Chicago native who went to University of Memphis. His wife, Alaina Anderson Rose, who is six years younger than her husband, is also from Chicago. She also attended the University of Memphis.

Rose's wife has a lot of family ties to Memphis, including being the niece of former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton.

"Like some fairytale (expletive)," Rose said.

Amidst the journey of finding his way, the city of Memphis has provided answers. Rose can't say enough good things about the weather. His appreciation makes sense when you consider that he's spent his career playing in cities like Chicago, New York, Minnesota, Cleveland and Detroit.

"Every cold spot you can think of, we been there, so coming here, we're appreciating and being grateful for the weather," Rose said. "Calling back at (Chicago), my mom is like 'man it's raining cold out here,' and we in the pool playing, so all those things we don't take for granted."

The family is happy. The oldest of Rose's three kids, PJ, attends Lausanne Collegiate School and "loves it here," according to his father. PJ shares a love of basketball with his Rose. PJ's mother stays in Memphis as well as Rose's wife and the two kids they share.

"We move as one unit," Rose said.

One thing Rose never did in any of the previous stops was buy his own home. That changed when he joined the Grizzlies.

Derrick Rose has more than nurturing role with Grizzlies' young stars

Rose signed a two-year deal to play with the Grizzlies in July. Family is the main reason why Memphis has become more than just a city that Rose plays basketball, but so is his connection to the Grizzlies' young core.

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In the team's locker room, Rose sits right next to Ja Morant. Ziaire Williams oozes when talking about the life lessons he's gathered from Rose, and so do several other players.

Rose may not be in Memphis to babysit, as he said during his first comments after joining the Grizzlies, but his veteran leadership has been felt.

"He's very knowledgeable," Jaren Jackson Jr. told The Commercial Appeal last week. "He's vibing all the time. Great human being. Somebody that has probably rubbed off on everybody that he's played with. I'm just glad he's with us."

"(He's) making sure I'm still going about everything the right way, checking on me," Morant said in Atlanta. "He's definitely been a huge help for me, and I appreciate him."

Rose's mantra is "living in gratitude."

One of the quotes on his personal weighted ball reads: Willingness - the quality or state of being prepared to do something.

Through Rose's willingness to embrace what he called "a full-circle moment," he's prepared himself to be in Memphis a long time.

"When I did leave (after college), I always wished that I stayed a little bit longer," Rose said. "That's crazy, like all the times we've had chances to purchase spots and our first purchase was in Memphis."

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: NBA career and after, Derrick Rose is planning on staying in Memphis