NY Knicks: 3 reasons a Derrick Rose reunion is likely
By Adam Kester
NY Knicks: Derrick Rose was dominant in 2020-21
There’s a reason he almost won Sixth Man of The Year.
Rose’s impact was felt almost immediately after he arrived in New York, but it was his play late in the season that gave NBA fans flashbacks to his MVP season.
As the NY Knicks battled it out to make a playoff push, Rose averaged 19 points and 4 assists on 58% from the field 56% from 3 in the month of May.
His total shooting splits in his 35 games with the Knicks were 48.7% from the field, 41.1% from 3, 88.3% from the line. Almost a 40/50/90 season… yeah.
Rose was the added punch of offense that the Knicks so desperately needed when they went out and traded for him.
Rose’s on/off stats were elite across the board. From Cleaning The Glass – the Knicks scored 10.6 more points per 100 possessions with Derrick Rose on the court.
Even on the defensive side of the ball, they allowed 6.2 less points per 100 possessions with Rose on the court.
There will plenty of hypothetical 2021-22 Knicks teams created by fans and analysts alike that feature 9 new players with 3 new big contracts.
I fully expect Leon Rose and his staff to make a few signings, but they want to build off what they started in 2021.
Derrick Rose is flexible in terms of his contract and his role with the team. He can be the starter or he can be the sixth man. Whatever role he plays, he’s a big part of the team’s new foundation.