POP 2019-2020 Season Preview: Derrick Rose is Actually a Piston
The Detroit Pistons brought in veteran point guard Derrick Rose during the 2019 free agency period. Better known as “D-Rose,” the three-time all-star and former NBA most valuable player finds himself on his fifth team in his 11 year NBA career.
Rose had somewhat of a resurgence last season in Minnesota after looking like he was heading towards the end of his career in 2017-18, where he spent time with both Cleveland and Minnesota. In 2018-19, Rose touted averages of 18 points, 4.3 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 27.3 minutes per game.
Not only did Rose prove that he can still play when healthy, but he also showed that he is adapting to the modern-day NBA, having a career year shooting the ball.
Rose shot very efficiently from the floor last season, shooting 48.2 percent from the field, 37 percent from three, and 85.6 percent from the free-throw line, with an effective field goal percentage of 51.8 percent.
D-Rose brings a lot to like to Detroit, especially after the season he had last year. In Detroit’s first preseason game against the Orlando Magic, Rose put up 10 points, four assists, and three rebounds in 14 minutes of action. Although Rose had a better outing than his teammate and starting point guard Reggie Jackson, I fully expect Rose to come off the bench and run with the second unit.
I know, a good amount of people want to see Rose start over Jackson, but hear me out: Rose fits better with the second unit. When I think of Derrick Rose, I think of run and gun offense and playing naturally, something he says he enjoys doing.
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Rose did exactly this last night, drawing defenders inside and finding Luke Kennard in the corner for an easy three.
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This was not the first time that Coach Dwane Casey noticed these types of plays, however. Casey said recently that Rose has “looked like MVP Derrick Rose” as of late.
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With Rose being able to run the offense freely, Detroit’s bench will outscore opposing benches frequently, like they did against Orlando, 58-53.
In Detroit’s second preseason game against Dallas, Rose showed out, putting up 18 points and five assists on 8-12 shooting in 24 minutes. The majority of those five assists were to Kennard who had a monster night, scoring 19 points on only eight shots.
“The coaches are telling us we have to come out and play hard,” Rose said after the 124-117 win over Dallas. “They [the starters] came out and got the lead...it’s up to us [the bench] to come in and keep that same energy and not change the game.”
Rose is poised to lead the second unit on a rampage this season, especially after saying that “I’ve never played with a young shooter like that,” in relation to Kennard.
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After two preseason games, I have liked everything that I have seen out of D-Rose. If he plays with this type of energy every night, there is no doubt in my mind that he will put up averages around 16 points, five assists and two rebounds a night on efficient shooting.
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Featured Image: Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images