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Earlier in his career, Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Derrick Rose didn't talk much because he's a quiet guy by nature. The former league MVP let his actions and play on the court do the talking for him and his teammates followed his lead that way.
Now at a different stage in his career and on a vet minimum contract, Derrick Rose is talking much more. When he scored a career-high 50 points against the Utah Jazz on Halloween, the Chicago native said this season is the most he has ever talked to his teammates, and the Timberwolves need it.
Minnesota head coach Tom Thibodeau talked about Rose's leadership style on Monday, saying the explosive guard is all about uplifting his teammates in a positive manner.
Thibs on Derrick Rose's leadership: “He’s got great awareness, saying the right thing at the right time to someone … but doing it in a positive way. Because leadership is not just about confronting somebody, it’s inspiring them and also about lifting them up…"
— Jace frederick (@JaceFrederick) December 3, 2018
Some could view this quote as a shot to Jimmy Butler, who is now with the Sixers. Butler has a much different leadership style than Rose. The four-time All-Star loves to challenge players verbally in practices and wants everyone to play just as hard as him. There's nothing wrong with that, as the Sixers seem to be doing good with Butler, but that type of leadership style is not for everyone and it definitely didn't work in Minnesota, particularly with Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins.
Derrick Rose is the exact opposite of Jimmy Butler. The 30-year-old is not confrontational. Both Rose and Butler want their teammates to be great, they just go about it in different ways.
Entering Monday, Rose is averaging 19.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game while shooting 50.5 percent from the field, 49.4 percent from beyond the arc and 85.9 percent from the free-throw line.
