More on the multitasking Jalen Rose

Jalen Rose, above, speaks about his role in the new movie "Just Wright," on his YouTube channel.

"Think of how some athletes who came before us could have used social media," says Jalen Rose. "Imagine Muhammad Ali. Maybe Wilt Chamberlain."

He pauses to ponder how someone who estimated he had 20,000 sexual encounters could have either built his brand or tore his legacy apart with that kind of information to spread around.

Rose, the 13-year NBA player, former Michigan "Fab Five" star and current ESPN NBA analyst, has become such the social networking butterfly, we tried to pick his mind about etiquette and protocol with these electronic devices left to our imagination (today's story linked here).

We've always liked what Rose has had to say about the NBA. Many others have as well.

The Detroit News' Lynn Henning wrote this about him recently (linked here): "Every time Jalen Rose appears on ESPN with his NBA analysis, a thought occurs: The one-time Michigan guard is the best former athlete-turned-TV guy in my memory. Fluent, smart, charismatic -- he is a premier mix of talents. And as likeable as anyone in front of a TV camera, anywhere. Some of the Michigan State camp will get apoplectic over any Rose compliments because of his attachment to the Fab Five-Ed Martin scandal. That was then. This is now. He is my favorite analyst on television."

Back in 2004, when Rose was still playing for the Toronto Raptors, we tracked him down after seeing him given a microphone and cameraman and asked to cover the Lakers-Pistons NBA Finals for FSN's "Best Damn Sports Show Period."

An excerpt of that story:

A show contributor during the regular season, Rose was so quick-witted and humorous that they gave him a media credential, a producer and a camera to collect sound bites from the Lakers and Detroit Pistons.
The funniest moment so far might have been when he stopped Lakers coach Phil Jackson trying to drive out of practice during Monday's off day between Games 1 and 2, and Jackson called him "Jamal."
"I'm going to remember that next time we play (the Lakers)," Rose said by phone before Thursday's Game 3 in Detroit, his hometown. "I think I just surprised him when I stopped his car. He got the 'J' part right and knew I was from Michigan and once played for the Bulls. I think he was going to call me 'Juwan' and it just came out 'Jamal.' "
Rose, who majored in radio, TV and film at Michigan, thinks he's a natural and says this gig has "given me an appreciation of what the media has to do, and the real media members haven't given me a hard time about being a rookie. I appreciate that."
Rose's recent offbeat segment for "BDSSP" was interviewing Staples Center celebrities after Game 2, where he was at ease questioning the likes of Steven Speilberg, Jack Nicholson and Denzel Washington. But he froze up when NBA legend Bill Russell came by.
John Entz, the "BDSSP" senior producer, says Rose "speaks his mind and he's a basketball fan who knows the game. When he goes to the players, you can see them light up."

If you'd like to respond to Rose directly:

== Via Twitter:twitter.com/jalenrose. He lists his location: ÜT: 34.124125,-118.507559.
He tweeted Wednesday morning: #nbafinals I'm picking the Lakers to win in 7 games over the C's only if Bynum is effective (not the 6pts/3rebs he avg last year)

== Via YouTube (where he's been since Feb., 2007) www.jalentv.com

== Via Facebook.com: www.facebook.com/JalenRose

== Via Ustream (where his bio says "All American, ESPN Analyst, Multimedia extraordinaire. I'm here to connect with fans and give you my thoughts on a variety of topics, from music to entertainment to fashion to basketball and more): http://www.ustream.tv/channel/therosereport

== His personal website: jalenrose.com