While Derrick Rose is no longer the exhilarating young phenom and Most Valuable Player candidate, the point guard feels he can help the Timberwolves this season, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic writes (subscription required).
Rose, 30, has played well in the preseason for Minnesota, averaging 11.3 PPG and 2.0 RPG through three contests. Those numbers are a far cry from his MVP totals from the 2010/11 season, but the veteran’s mindset is different.
“I’m just looking for comfort and opportunity,” Rose said. “I’m not here to steal nobody’s job. I’ve been in that position before early in my career. I did that. I’m here to help. I’m not here to challenge no one for their spot. All that talk is crazy. I’m not looking to start. That’s not me. I’m just looking to do whatever the team needs me to do.”
Minnesota signed Rose last March after he was waived by the Jazz following a trade from the Cavaliers. In nine regular season games with the Timberwolves, Rose averaged just 12.7 minutes per game as the team relied on fan-favorite Tyus Jones. In the postseason, however, Rose showed bursts of his prior form as he averaged 14.2 PPG and shot 51% from the field.
It’s unfair to expect that type of performance consistently from Rose, who has dealt with a plethora of injuries in his career. However, the three-time All-Star is also willing to take on any role that helps the team succeed.
“As far as me becoming a leader, just trying to help the team, whatever they need me to do, pick up garbage, whatever, I’m here,” Rose said. “Whatever they need me to do to help the team.”
He injured himself right before he finished saying that.
Tore his Achilles and ACL and EVERYTHING!
Like aside from being insensitive, you’re simply not funny at all.
Thanks YoYo. What an idiot. GTFO
Ernesto, Keep your day job making pizza because your stand up comedy routine is a complete failure.
Ha. You’re so funny.
Ernesto’s appendix exploded after he hit Post Comment.
Is forever ☝️
“I’m not looking to be good at basketball.”
– Derrick Rose
Cept that’s why he still gets paid a nice sum to play ball, and you keep hoping minimum wage will go up enough for you to afford TV…. So you can watch rose play ball
Savage. Lol
Damn you really love him huh
The old you-can’t-have-an-opinion-about-a-player-because-you-aren’t-a-professional-athlete-yourself line.
He has looked good since the playoffs in the multiple guard lineups. I thought he seemed more balance on his jumpshot in the preseason so far as well
I agree. His mid range looks vintage – obviously the rest of the game will never be the same, but his IQ and playmakkng ability still make him a positive asset.
Whenever he attacks, he plays relatively well. He has always been tentative since coming back from the injuries. You can tell he has been afraid to get hurt again.
Everyone that has a job in the NBA is stealing a job away from someone else. If you get a roster spot, that means someone else doesn’t. That’s the nature of the beast.
That’s quite the worldview
He should say, i’m just here to keep getting mega money for a shoe deal
It’s good to hear that coming from DRose, cause that’s exactly the mindset he needs to have if he wants to thrive. After the injury he seemed to continue thinking he was a star, and that was certainly not helping him at all. I guess it took him a long time to realize and accept his new role, but finally he did.
Kind of an over-adjustment though, to how he approached things in Cleveland. Meanwhile Tyus is all ready to rip
Well let’s see if he can stay healthy this year…otherwise I might need a new profile pic
Drose is the wise old owl now.
Since he used a double negative, he’s technically saying that he is there to steal someone’s job
I mean him and Teague aren’t separated by a ton of talent. I think Teague gets the edge because he’s relatively injury free and I think a bit younger than Rose. Though Rose is not a negative asset anymore now that he’s on minimum contracts. He’ll put up solid number this year especially if no Butler.