“Want to Spit on Everyone”: Blasting Hatred for Knicks and Veteran NBA Coach, 30YO Star Claims to Have Shared Locker Room Frustration With Derrick Rose

Being a veteran in the NBA can be challenging many times. Despite giving the game a ton of years, there can be insecurity about the job. Each year, the same grueling training camps and then the long hard grind of the 82-game season take a toll. Eventually, when you have already earned a solid role, fighting for minutes can lead to an unparalleled amount of frustration. 

The agony multiplies for someone who has been an MVP. This happened with Derrick Rose and another player who feels aggrieved by the New York Knicks.

Derrick Rose and fellow guard got irked

Can you imagine being heralded as the next big thing during your young age and then watching a five-on-five practice like a second-round draftee after an injury-riddled period? This fate has befallen Derrick Rose, who was the league’s MVP in 2011 and is currently part of the Memphis Grizzlies. He played for the Knicks during the last three seasons, but last season he averaged just 12.5 minutes per game, completely falling out of rotation after 20-odd games. 

For context, Rose is 34 and is similar in age to Kevin Durant and a year younger than Stephen Curry. But one other player who is four years younger than him has fallen into the same trap. Evan Fournier couldn’t be more critical of the Knicks, a team that abandoned him. Just three seasons ago, he was averaging close to 20 points a game but played only 17 minutes a game and featured in just 27 games. The Knicks were playing second-string role players over him. 

This has deeply stung the French sharpshooter. In an interview with French Sports publication L’Équipe, he didn’t hold back against the Knicks. Below is a translation of the snippet from an interview he gave to the French news daily.

“You want to spit on everyone. You have hatred. Derrick Rose and I looked at each other and said to each other: ‘What the hell are we doing here?’ During the five-on-five practice, we were on the side like some prospects. Uncool times. And when I realized that wouldn’t change, I took things more slowly.”

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Thibs changed his mantra

This urge to “spit on everyone” showcases how much the veteran shooter resents the Knicks Tom Thibodeau, who had also coached Derrick Rose during his MVP days in Chicago, had a reputation for playing experienced players over young ones.

However, he changed his approach during the last season, preferring the play of Quinten Grimes, a sophomore, and Immanuel Quickley, a third-year player. The addition of hustling guard Josh Hart further diminished the prospects for Fournier and Rose.

The bench minutes disappeared for both Rose and Fournier which made them feel isolated. It is understandable for players who were once expected to carry the offense during major parts of the game. 

Do you think Fournier will find a fresh start to his NBA career or will take his talents elsewhere? Do share in the comments below.

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