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New York Knicks: Five Times Derrick Rose Showed MVP Form In 2015-16

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) drives to the net against Denver Nuggets center Joffrey Lauvergne (77) in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Bulls 115-110. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) drives to the net against Denver Nuggets center Joffrey Lauvergne (77) in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Bulls 115-110. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) dribble the ball around Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second half at the United Center. The Bulls won 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) dribble the ball around Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second half at the United Center. The Bulls won 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

War With Westbrook

Date: November 5, 2015
Opponent: Oklahoma City Thunder
Result: 104-98, W
Stat Line: 37 minutes, 29 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 12/25 FG, 5/6 FT

This is the first example of Derrick Rose going toe-to-toe with an elite point guard and looking like a star again. In 37 minutes against Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder, Rose was nothing short of sensational.

Despite playing with a protective mask that blurred his vision, Rose poured in 29 points, six assists, and five rebounds on 12-of-25 shooting.

Going toe-to-toe with Westbrook is the ultimate test for Rose—perhaps more so than any other player in the NBA. Like Westbrook, the 2011 NBA MVP relies heavily on his athletic ability when creating offense.

Rose isn’t on Westbrook’s level of production as far as consistency is concerned, but he proved capable of going toe-to-toe with one of the best in the game.

This game against Westbrook sets the stage for what the rest of the slideshow will display. When Rose squares off against other star-caliber point guards, he tends to play up to their level instead of shrinking in the moment.

If Rose can continue to facilitate, rebound, and get to the line at a high level, his scoring numbers will just be an added benefit.

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