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New York Knicks: What Every Starter Has To Prove

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 19, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) drives to the basket against Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) drives to the basket against Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 7, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) brings the ball up court against the Boston Celtics during the second half at United Center. The Bulls won 101-92. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) brings the ball up court against the Boston Celtics during the second half at United Center. The Bulls won 101-92. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Derrick Rose: He Can Stay Healthy

Position: Point Guard
Age: 27 (10/4/1988)
Slash Line: .427/.293/.793
Season Averages: 31.8 MPG, 16.4 PPG, 4.7 APG, 3.4 RPG, 0.7 SPG, 0.7 3PM

Since winning MVP in 2010-11, Derrick Rose has been active for 166 of a possible 394 games. He missed all 82 games in 2012-13, played in just 10 games in 2013-14, and missed 31 games in 2014-15.

Thus, the most obvious thing for Rose to prove is that, after multiple knee surgeries and a long list of other injuries, he still has something left in the tank.

Rose averaged career full season lows of 16.4 points and 4.7 assists during the 2015-16 regular season. He increased his scoring averaged to 17.4 points on a slash line of .468/.375/.784 after the All-Star Break, but only dished out 4.6 assists per game.

If the New York Knicks are going to make the playoffs with Rose starting at point guard, he’ll need to contribute at a significantly higher level as a facilitator.

Furthermore, Rose must score with more efficiency if he’s going to continue dominating the ball. He shot just 42.7 percent from the field and 29.3 percent from beyond the arc in 2015-16, which are both well below where he needs to be.

Head coach Jeff Hornacek should help Rose as a scorer and playmaker, but the decisions and shots are still made or missed by the player. Rose needs to show he still has it.

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