Minnesota Timberwolves: First-half player grades for the Wolves
By Ben Beecken
Derrick Rose
- Has appeared in 33 games and is averaging 29.7 minutes per contest
- Averaging 18.9 points and 4.8 assists per game
- Shooting a career-best 46.8 percent on 3-point attempts, which ranks fourth in the NBA
The resurgence of Derrick Rose remains one of the top storylines in the NBA this season, and if Rose can stay relatively healthy and get back to playing in games regularly over the next few weeks, he has a real shot at making the All-Star team.
I’ll be the first to admit that I was more than skeptical when it came to re-signing Rose, who is nearly eight years removed from All-Star productivity. After all, players don’t suddenly revert to the eight-years-ago version of the themselves.
Except for that Rose has done exactly that, and apparently there is something to the narrative that Rose finally had a healthy summer to work on his game and relax instead of rehab.
Whatever the reason, Rose has had a fantastic start to the season. He’s shooting a ridiculous 46.8 percent on 3-point attempts, which ranks fourth in the entire league and is easily a career-high from a player who was a 29.6 percent 3-point shooter coming into the season.
He’s shooting the ball less at the rim, too, instead choosing to loft a bevy of floaters and 15-foot jumpers that have been startlingly effective. Instead of trying to force tough layups around massive defenders and attempting to rely on the athleticism that has been gone for years, Rose understands where he’s at with his body and has mastered being effective from other areas on the floor.
Rose does still have a quick first step, and that has allowed him to get to the places on the floor from where he’s been most effective. He’s also been decent enough defensively that the Wolves have been able to keep him on the floor for long stretches.
The downside to this season has been the abuse of his minutes load from the Wolves’ former head coach.
Rose and Saunders have already talked about his the minutes expectation, which is reportedly around 30 per game. Incidentally, Rose is averaging 29.7 minutes per game this year, and 15 of his 33 appearances have seen him play north of 30 minutes.
If the Wolves can keep Rose healthy down the stretch of the season, he’ll be a big part of any playoff run they might be able to make.