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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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Mar 24, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) shoots the ball past New York Knicks center Robin Lopez (8) during second half at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks won 106-94. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) shoots the ball past New York Knicks center Robin Lopez (8) during second half at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks won 106-94. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

Nuking New York

Date: March 24, 2016
Opponent: New York Knicks
Result: 106-94, L
Stat Line: 39 minutes, 30 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 13/24 FG, 1/4 3PT, 3/4 FT

The New York Knicks have acquired the player who dominated their backcourt in 2015-16. That may or may not be the correct course of action, but his showing on March 24 certainly offers reason for optimism.

In 39 minutes, Rose methodically attacked and dismantled the Knicks’ backcourt for 30 points on 13-of-24 shooting from the field.

Rose drove at will against Jose Calderon, whom he’s replacing in the Knicks’ starting lineup. Rose’s performance proved just how much of an issue the 2015-16 backcourt’s lack of athleticism truly was for New York.

It’s also worth noting that, one day prior, Rose scored 21 points on 9-of-17 shooting against the Knicks.

This game highlights the point of this entire exercise. Even if Rose can’t step up and provide explosive scoring performances on a nightly basis, he can do so on occasion—and that’s far more than the Knicks’ crop of point guards could say in 2015-16.

The fact that he, nowhere near 100 percent, could drop 30 points on 54.2 percent shooting against the Knicks is a testament to how much of an upgrade he is over last year’s group of guards.

Must Read: Kristaps Porzingis on the 2016-17 Knicks: 'We have to make the playoffs'

The fact that Rose can put forth even a handful of games at a star-caliber level is a sign of how far New York’s point guard situation has come.

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