New York Knicks: How Derrick Rose Will Help NY Contend

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Mar 26, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) passes around Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Creating Penetration

No team was worse at getting to the basket in 2015-16 than the New York Knicks. To take that a step further, no team was worse at generating primary penetration to collapse the defense and open up the perimeter than the Knicks.

With no hyperbole whatsoever, Rose is nearly as productive a slasher as the entire 2015-16 Knicks team combined.

Rose finished the 2015-16 season at No. 14 in the NBA with 8.9 drives per game. By comparison, the Knicks ranked dead last in the Association with 15.5 drives per game—just 6.6 more than Rose had individually.

You can spin that any way you want, but when a team fails to create penetration, adding a player who can is a wise decision.

Rose was also No. 9 in the NBA with 6.9 points via drives per game on 51.0 percent shooting. As a team, the Knicks averaged a league-worst 10.4 points via drives per game—just 3.5 more than Rose scored individually.

Rose will need to be a more willing passer in 2015-16—0.6 assists via drives per game—but if he’s willing to embrace the facilitator’s role, he can change the dynamic of New York’s offense.

Next: No. 1

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