Derrick Rose
Derrick Rose is driving at will, getting into the paint, and terrorizing opposing defenses. His floater is working as well as it ever has, which has left interior defenders flat-footed as they attempt to determine whether to step out onto him or prepare for a finish at the rim.
Against the Sacramento Kings, Rose played yet another efficient offensive game and helped pace the Knicks with his scoring and facilitating.
Rose finished the night with 20 points, six rebounds, and six assists in 34 explosive minutes for the Knicks. He shot 9-of-14 from the field and made two of his three free throw attempts in what was a truly methodical display.
On a night where both Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis had cold stretches, Rose was the stabilizing force who helped keep the offense together.
The Knicks started the season at 1-5 when Rose scored at least 15 points, but that trend has been bucked. Since suffering that fifth loss in six games, New York has gone 5-3 when Rose scores at least 15 points.
If Rose can flirt with 20 points and provide a consistent six assists per game, then the Knicks will have prototypical production from a high-quality NBA point guard.
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It’s too early to jump to conclusions, but with the increased confidence he’s been playing with in recent weeks, Rose is dangerously close to being back as a star-caliber player.