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New York Knicks: Cleveland Loss Proves Derrick Rose Is The X-Factor

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks point guard Derrick Rose (25) talks with New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks point guard Derrick Rose (25) talks with New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Knicks’ loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers further established what’s been true throughout the 2016-17 season: Derrick Rose is the X-Factor.

Nov 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks point guard Derrick Rose (25) talks with New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks point guard Derrick Rose (25) talks with New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

The defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers have handed the New York Knicks their two worst losses of the 2016-17 NBA regular season. The first was forgivable, as New York was playing its first game with its new starting lineup—on the road in the season opener, no less.

The second time around, however, the Knicks were blown out at Madison Square Garden—a learning experience that proved how valuable Derrick Rose is to New York’s season.

Rose missed Wednesday’s game against Cleveland after suffering a back injury on Tuesday against the Miami Heat. He missed the final 18 minutes of game time against the Heat with back spasms.

The fact that the Knicks had to come home for the second night of a back-to-back and play the defending NBA champions certainly didn’t help his availability.

Rose’s MRI came back negative for structural damage, which implies he should be able to return after a reasonable amount of R&R. The Knicks need him to be healthy and available once his back issue clears up, as he could be the difference between the postseason and the draft lottery.

The question is: what exactly is it that makes Rose so valuable to the 12-10 Knicks?

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