The New York Knicks got some big-time point guard play during their upset win over the Los Angeles Clippers on the road, 106-100. But it wasn't from their starter, Elfrid Payton.

The seven year veteran posted a paltry two points, with just one made field goal in five attempts. But on a night where All-Star Julius Randle was relatively held in check, it was backup point guard Derrick Rose who came up big.

Rose racked up 25 points on an extremely efficient 11 for 17, to go along with six rebounds and eights assists. His positive impact on Knicks has been felt throughout the season, and the numbers show exactly that. The former MVP is the proud owner of the best +/- point differential on the Knicks at +206 even though he's played in less than half their contests.

The incumbent starter Payton has been the absolutel worst on the entire team at -84 through 59 games. That number is especially jarring considering how much success the Knicks have had this season. Taking things in a vacuum, it would seem as through they've been winning both because of Rose and in spite of Payton.

Rose himself isn't exactly clamoring to start, as reported by the New York Post's Marc Berman.

“Whatever the team needs. I’m the newcomer. I let Thibs worry about that. So I don’t know when I’m coming in, I don’t know when I’m coming out. But I just got to make sure I prep myself before I go into games.’’

But it's definitely surprising that the swap still hasn't been made, especially given the fact that Tom Thibodeau, Rose's long-time coach on three different teams, is the shot-caller for the Knicks.

However, there does seem to be merit in having him come off the bench to provide a spark for the offense while Julius Randle does the heavy lifting for the starting lineup.

Whether he's starting or the first body off the bench, the New York Knicks need to lean heavily on Derrick Rose come playoff time.