Detroit Pistons: Analyst Reveals Why Derrick Rose Shouldn’t Start at PG

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AUBURN HILLS, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 30: Derrick Rose #25 of the Detroit Pistons poses for a portrait during the Detroit Pistons Media Day at Pistons Practice Facility on September 30, 2019 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Derrick Rose is a member of the Detroit Pistons and his journey has been remarkable after suffering multiple ACL and MCL injuries that changed the trajectory of his career.

Rose’s evolution began last season.

During the 2018 NBA Playoffs the Chicago native averaged 14 points per game coming off the bench for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA Playoffs.

Rose also shot an impressive 50.9 percent from the field and shot 70 percent from downtown.

That momentum carried over to last season, where in February, Rose was the T-Wolves’ leader in assists and their second-leading scorer behind All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns.

There’s a new scenery in Detroit where Rose will be paired next to Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond, Joe Johnson and Reggie Jackson.

“I think he’ll fit fine, he can hold his own,” Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes told me on a recent appearance on the Scoop B Radio Podcast.

“I know for a fact that they don’t want him starting over there; as possible for as long as he can, so he doesn’t break down. Derrick Rose is in a good place! It takes a lot for a player who’s been given a lot on the court, that plays and heals his whole life, to modify his game where he’s just a reserve. A sturdy reserve, but a reserve nonetheless.”

Rose’s rise back to high-level NBA productivity has been inspiring.

He’s shown flashes of athleticism over the last couple of seasons in stints with the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers and then the Minnesota Timberwolves the last couple of seasons.

Rose did score 50 points in a game against the Utah Jazz this season. 34 of Rose’s points were scored in the second half of the Timberwolves’ 128-125 win.

Many scoffed when Kevin Garnett suggested to me last summer that Rose could be a steady starter at point guard for the T-Wolves this season.

“Yeah, I would,” Garnett, an NBA Champion, former league MVP and multiple-time NBA All-Star told me.

“Hear the man out! “It’s D-Rose. You know, you get older, but the knowledge don’t go anywhere. He’s more crafty now than ever in the pick-and-roll. He’s able to get shots for guys and he’s able to knock shots down, so yeah, I would.”

Before last season began, Derrick Rose was a 34-1 longshot to win the NBA’s 6th Man of the Year Award, according to FanDuel.

Although he didn’t win it, back in March, he was a betting favorite (-145) to win 6th Man of the Year.

Derrick Rose was the first pick in the 2008 Draft by the Chicago Bulls. A native of the city’s South Side, Rose was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2011.

Dwyane Wade told me this summer that Rose’s biggest strength was his ability to evolve.

“It’s somebody that had to change his game because of injury and he came in very explosive,” he said.

“He’s explosive in a different way now. He plays the game with so much smarts and his pace is incredible. He’s explosive underneath the basket just as good as he was above he still has a lot left in the tank.”

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