Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Derrick Rose became the youngest MVP in NBA history back in 2011 with his hometown Chicago Bulls, but the explosive guard actually believes he's a better player now.
Rose, who is averaging 19.3 points per game this season for Minnesota, says he's a more mature and controlled player now compared to his MVP days.
2019 🌹 >>> 2011 🌹
… according to @drose himself. pic.twitter.com/tmtZ7DgvAb
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) January 22, 2019
During that MVP season, Rose averaged 25.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists while leading the Bulls to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. He was a freak of nature and would do things athletically that point guards shouldn't be able to do.
That reckless style of play, though, is the main reason why Rose suffered so many lower body injuries. Since winning the MVP award, Rose has undergone four knee surgeries — two on each knee.
When you watch Rose play now, he's playing at his own pace. Now, the Chicago native is relying on his jump shot more and taking what the defense gives him instead of recklessly driving to the paint. Last summer was the first offseason in a long time that Rose didn't have to rehab an injury and was able to work on his game. The results have been mind-blowing, as Rose is shooting an efficient 48.3 percent from the field and a career-high 43.1 percent from beyond the arc.
Rose is in the running for the Sixth Man of the Year award. If he's able to win the award, he will become the first player since Hall of Famer Bill Walton to win the MVP award first, and then later the Sixth Man award.
Follow Us
Subscribe