via Getty
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 09: Derrick Rose #25 of the Detroit Pistons reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on December 09, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
via Getty
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 09: Derrick Rose #25 of the Detroit Pistons reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on December 09, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Derrick Rose is joining the Knicks and reuniting with Tom Thibodeau, the man who helped him become the NBA’s youngest MVP in 2011. Coach Thibodeau was instrumental behind Rose’s incredible MVP season where he averaged 25.0 points and 7.7 assists per game and took the league by storm.
Even after a plethora of injuries, Tom has always been a big fan of Rose. When he was named as the head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, the first order of business was to get his beloved former superstar. And now he’s doing the same with the New York Knicks. As per ‘The Athletic’s’ Shams Charania, it is more than confirmed.
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 31, 2021; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau coaches against the LA Clippers during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Though this reunion is getting plaudits from all the corners, one former NBA player is rather disgruntled. Former Boston Celtics player Kendrick Perkins believes Derrick Rose should be heading for a championship contender instead of moving to a franchise that ends his hopes of winning the championship anytime soon.
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Derrick Rose deserves to be on damn Contender at this point of his career…I understand the Knicks are finally moving in the right direction but Damn!!! Just saying tho…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) February 7, 2021
Jimmy Butler gives his seal of approval to the Derrick Rose-Knicks trade
One guy who has the classification to comment on this is Jimmy Butler. He’s shared the dressing room with both Thibodeau and Rose during their respective stints with the Chicago Bulls. Here’s what Bulter had to say about the trade: “Thibs is getting the band back together.”
The Miami Heat superstar isn’t someone to toss praises around so easily. While lauding his former coach, Butler also acknowledged Rose’s ability to still compete at a very high-level.
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“Thibs is a hell of a coach. I have so much respect for him. And D-Rose is a hell of a player then and a hell of a player now. He’s going to come in with that winning mentality and keep playing the way that he’s been playing these last couple of years. That kid has a lot of go in him–he really does. And it’s inspiring and really, really impressive to watch.”
Welcome Back To The Knicks, Derrick Rose 🌹 pic.twitter.com/sDpEhLXLk3
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) February 7, 2021
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These are indeed exciting times for the New York Knicks fans. It’s a statement that someone has rarely made since the onset of the James Dolan era. But will this coup could seal their return to the playoffs?
Read More – Are the New York Knicks the Perfect Landing Spot for Veteran Sharpshooter JJ Redick?
