NY Knicks: Derrick Rose tapping “Chicago days” ahead of NBA Playoffs

NY Knicks: The leadership role of Derrick Rose

While 2021 Derrick Rose may not currently be on the same level as other older guards, well-known guards like Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul, he still brings the same level of experience as someone who has been at the very top of the basketball world.

We’re talking about Derrick Rose.

From Simeon to Memphis to the Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose has been the focal point for opposing defenses his entire life. A point guard who has put up with triple teams, full-court presses – any kind of smothering defensive attack, he’s seen it.

That kind of experience can sometimes get lost in the discussions around Rose. He’s settled into this 6th-man/closer type role, where the NY Knicks rely on him to be one of their main scorers. It’s a familiar role in the NBA, the secondary scoring/playmaking guard: The Jordan Clarksons, Eric Gordons, Evan Fourniers of the world. Here’s the thing – they’re not Derrick Rose.

“We all grew up watching D-Rose…We grew up watching his highlights”, RJ Barrett told NBC sports earlier in the year.

Eric Gordon is a great player, but none of us watched Eric Gordon highlights as we got ready to go ball outside. Maybe some did… this was always my go-to hype video.

I’ve brought it up before, but there was a moment during the last Memphis Grizzlies game – something that couldn’t have been any less memorable: It was simply just Derrick Rose bringing the ball up the court in the 2nd quarter.

His defender picked up him full court, and a second player actually came to trap to get the ball out of his hands, but Rose pulled a few effortless crossovers and made it to the other side of the court to calmly set up the offense. He didn’t break a sweat.

It was such a mundane moment of a live NBA game, but as it happened, Mike Breen commented about how there aren’t many NBA players who can just slice through the sudden, intense defense like that without seeming phased.

If that was Payton, Quickley, Ntilikina, whoever – they would have had to backpedal and pass out.

Rose’s experience as a basketball player is different from other NBA players of the same age. The respect he commands on and off the court is felt by his opponents and his teammates.

He’s been here before. The only Knick who has more playoff experience than Rose is his longtime teammate, Taj Gibson.

A lot of people counted Derrick Rose out. Now, he’s quietly balling on the loudest franchise in the league.