David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Winning the NBA's Most Valuable Player Award isn't enough to impress Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau.

Speaking to reporters Monday, Timberwolves point guard Derrick Rose said Thibodeau didn't go out of his way to compliment him on becoming the MVP in 2010-11 when both were with the Chicago Bulls. Rose said he didn't take the gesture—or lack thereof—personally and that it only adds more significance to when Thibodeau does hand out praise.

Rose recounted the story after hearing Thibodeau's assessment that he can only continue to improve in Minnesota: "It's crazy to hear him say that. That shows that I believe in myself—I know that because I know how much I put into everything. But to hear him say that, this is the same guy I didn't get a compliment [from] after I won MVP my third year. To hear him say that, it means a lot."

Rose and Thibodeau's rapport clearly factored into Rose's signing with the Timberwolves following his release by the Utah Jazz after they acquired him from the Cleveland Cavaliers at the trade deadline in February.

While Thibodeau's intense approach created friction with some players toward the end of his tenure with the Bulls, it's hard to argue with the results.

The team made the playoffs in each of his five seasons and may have reached the NBA Finals were it not for Rose's knee injuries. Thibodeau also helped get the most out of his players as Rose, Jimmy Butler and Joakim Noah all became All-Stars. Noah was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2013-14 as well.

Thibodeau now has the Timberwolves on the verge of their first playoff appearance since 2003-04 even though Butler has missed more than a month of action with a meniscus injury.