New York Knicks: How Derrick Rose has become the Sixth Man of the Year
By Adam Kester
It’s starting to become a pattern with the New York Knicks and Derrick Rose. The team establishes a physical tone early on. There are stretches of play where New York dominates and periods where their opponent fights back. Then, the 4th quarter comes around and Derrick Rose delivers the knockout punches.
The impact of Derrick Rose was felt from the moment he landed in New York. The first reports we received were how he immediately took rookies Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley out to dinner and assert himself as a resource for the younger players. Much like the silent assassin on the court, he became a quiet leader off the court.
New York Knicks: Derrick Rose has transformed the team
The Knicks knew they needed more scoring when they went out and traded for Rose. Tom Thibodeau’s team had already asserted themselves as a strong defensive team but the lack of offense was their Achilles heel.
Before Derrick Rose’s arrival, the Knicks ranked: 22nd in 3-point percentage, 30th in points per game, and 24th in offensive rating. Since Rose’s first game, they’ve ranked: 2nd in 3-point percentage, 21st in points per game, and 13th in offensive rating. There are only a HANDFUL of players in NBA history who were traded midseason who have coincided with that kind of team transformation.
How did this happen? How did this team find such a perfect fit? Let’s start with the reasons why Derrick Rose’s game has been such a key part of New York’s success.