Don’t Call It A Comeback: The Reemergence of Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose was the next big thing in the NBA, he was the youngest MVP at just 22 years old and 5 months. As a 3^rd year player he averaged 25 PPG, 7.7 APG, and 4 RPG. He also is the only player I have seen from the guard position to gain a 3-point shot so quickly after leaving college without one. From his rookie year to his MVP season he increased his 3-point percentage by 11 percent and his free-throw percentage by 7 percent.  

Unfortunately for the young superstar in the 2011-2012 season he missed a total of 99 games due to a torn ACL. For Rose things didn’t get much better, he never fully recovered from the injury. In the 2013-2014 he tore his meniscus and missed 76 games. Many people and teams gave up on Rose so much so he got traded two times in two years by the Bulls and the Cavs. They also began to write him off, many said he was “washed up” or “will never be the same again”.  Well they were right, Derrick Rose isn’t the same player anymore, he’s actually much better. “I think I got the complete package now. I can drive. I’m taking the shots that they’re giving me. And I’m shooting the ball pretty good right now. So I think I’m a better player”. Derrick Rose said. 

What Rose is doing this season is amazing and was not expected, so far this season he is averaging 18.6 PPG (top 40 in the NBA), 4.7 APG, 2.8 RPG while shooting 41.7 percent from 3 and 48 percent from the field. Not only is his 18.6 PPG is his highest average since the 2011-2012 season, his 3-point percentage is his highest of his career and his field goal percentage is the 2^nd highest of his career. Just watching him on the floor this year, you can see the game has slowed down for him, he picks his spots better and lets the game come to him. With that being said, he should be the favorite to win the Sixth Man of The Year award, if he does so he will be 1 of 3 players to win an MVP and Sixth Man of The Year Award, which includes Hall of Famer Bill Walton and future Hall of Famer James Harden.  

Derrick Rose has reinvented himself as an NBA player a very good one at that, he has changed the way we look at players with catastrophic injuries. Not bad for a guy that just over a year ago considered Retirment. I believe it’s safe to say that D-Rose is back.