Derrick Rose is thriving in his role with the Detroit Pistons this season and the former MVP says the floor spacing which he's operating with is a big reason why.
Pistons head coach Dwane Casey trusts Rose with the ball in his hands and the Chicago native has delivered for Detroit in the clutch a few times this season:
Article Continues Below“Right now, the floor is open. If they're backing up and going under the screens, I'd be shooting a lot more. But the way they're playing me, the drive is open,” Rose said, via Will Gottlieb of Bleacher Report.
“That's what I am naturally. I'm a driver. So I'm going to take what the game gives me and just try to make it more comfortable and be prepared to recognize those spots in the game.”
Now that Blake Griffin is most likely done for the season, Rose's usage rate with the Pistons is going to steadily increase. The three-time All-Star is currently averaging 17.5 points and 5.8 assists in 25.0 minutes per game. Those numbers could spike with Griffin out and a Andre Drummond trade looming.
Of course, the Pistons are still going to monitor Rose's minutes given his injury history. Casey, though, has been trying a new tactic lately where he starts Rose in the third quarter so the Pistons get off to a better start in the second half.
Whatever Casey is doing with Derrick Rose is working, as the 31-year-old is averaging 20.4 points and 5.1 assists over his last eight games.