Derrick Rose on why he sits on Knicks' bench: 'I'm in the unknown'
Knicks guard Derrick Rose (4) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, in Cleveland. Credit: AP/Nick Cammett
GREENBURGH, N.Y. — There is no relationship on the Knicks as long and deep as that between Derrick Rose and Tom Thibodeau, a player and coach bonded through time spent together with three different franchises. So it may seem odd that Rose is puzzled by his reduced minutes, but he has felt no need to ask his longtime coach for an explanation.
“I’m in the unknown,” Rose said after Knicks practice Thursday. “Trying to stay focused, give my all every day, talking to the guys, being vocal like I said earlier on in the year. Trying to communicate to them what I see on the floor. But yeah, this is new — foreign — for me.”
Through the Knicks’ first 11 games, Rose is averaging only 12.7 minutes per game, half of what he averaged last season and the lowest for any season in his 15-year career. For Rose, who came into this season healthy again and 20 pounds lighter than the weight he played at last season, it’s confusing.
There are explanations and he’s been around long enough to understand. Some of it has been his play, which has not been the usual mixture of reliable playmaking and offensive prowess. But some is simply the reality of the roster. The Knicks signed Jalen Brunson to a four-year, $104 million contract to take over as the point guard, and he eats away at the minutes available.
Rose’s shooting has been spotty, 38.2% overall and 35.5% from three-point range. His assists per 36 minutes are on target with his previous seasons in New York, although his turnovers have doubled from last season’s per 36 figure. He hasn’t asked Thibodeau for an explanation and won’t. He plays his minutes, works in practice and, between shifts on the floor, retreats to an exercise bike to stay loose and ready for his next chance.
“I’m letting everybody be, man,” Rose said. “I don’t want to have that conversation with him just off the strength that he has a lot on his plate — the team does. So the last guy he wants to hear from is the guy who has been in the league for 15 years going in and complaining.
“Just trying to give everybody the space, remain myself and help the young guys. I think I’ve been doing a good job helping — talking to people when they’re on the floor. Getting off the bike, communicating with guys with what I see. That’s what I can do right now. And try not to [mess] up the game whenever I get in.”
“I talk to Derrick as much as anyone,” Thibodeau said. “You sit down, you talk to your players every day. You’re asking everyone to sacrifice. Some guys, it might be going from starting to coming off the bench. Some guys might be going out of the rotation. You have a finite amount of minutes. You have to have a rotation.
“A lot of it’s based on performance — all of it is. How does the group perform when you’re on the floor? I try to reiterate to everyone that you can play well without shooting well. So if you’re not shooting well, you can’t allow that to take away from the other things that you can do to help the team win.
“We’re going to keep searching for guys that can help us win. That’s really where we are. You want more minutes, you’ve got to play well.”
Notes & quotes: Quentin Grimes practiced after playing a little more than four minutes Wednesday in his return to action from a sore left foot, which has bothered him through training camp and the early part of the season. Grimes said he has not had an MRI since September, but he’s been assured there is no need for surgery or an extended rehab assignment. He is expected to be available Friday against the Pistons.
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
