The Knicks got “one of the elite players in this league” for Dennis Smith Jr. That is at least the decision of the Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, who has a blind spot for Derrick Rose.
Thibodeau said Rose will “initially” come off the bench and is thrilled to hear her favorite player tell her how she is.
Using the word “initially” could mean that Elfrid Payton, the Knicks ’starting point, should be alert if his game doesn’t live up to the standards.
Thibodeau has excited Payton’s defense, but now has Rose one of his all-time favorite players. Thibodeau has trained Rose in Chicago, Minnesota and now in New York.
“Obviously, he’s someone I’m familiar with,” Thibodeau said before Tuesday’s game in Miami. “It simply came to our notice then. But most importantly, what he felt he could bring to our team. I’ve always been partial with good players. If someone is a good player, I care. And I think it will add a lot to our team. I know his character. I know what kind of teammate he is.
“She will accept any role. You can start it, you can take it off the bench, you can play it for short minutes, long minutes. He tells me this is as healthy as he is. ”
Asked about Rose’s role, Thibodeau said, “We’re going to take a look. Initially, he will probably start coming off the bench. I like the way the two groups have played. And so far we have been relatively healthy. Therefore, you should always be prepared. But my job is to make sure the guys who aren’t in rotation now stay prepared. “
A Pistons source said Rose’s production stopped working after 25 minutes, and they kept him with an unofficial minute restriction. But Thibodeau has always had a weakness, despite knee surgeries, for Rose, who won the league’s MVP award in Chicago ten years ago when she was 22 and Thibodeau was her head coach.
Thibodeau declined to say he urged the direction to change for Rose, who adapted on Tuesday. Knicks president Leon Rose, who has not spoken publicly since late July, was not available to comment on the trade.
“I think that’s part of management’s responsibility to the team,” Thibodeau said. “I think Leon and Wes [William Wesley, senior vice president] and Scott [Perry], are in constant communication with all the teams in the league, which is part of this business. You talk about a number of possibilities, you look at it, the pros and cons, what could I add, but there are several players that were discussed. I don’t really focus on that. My focus is on the guys we have here. If they think something is good for the team, obviously, whoever they decide we will have, is who I go with ”.
The enigma is the possibility that Rose, 32, could steal minutes from rookie goalkeeper Immanuel Quickley, a fan favorite.
Thibodeau said Rose’s mentoring is key.
“As for a tutoring part, I think it’s critical,” Thibodeau said. “You’re talking about a man who is still one of the highest paid elite in the league, look at what he’s done and achieved and the fact that he’s been a great teammate.
“When you look at how the players are developing, the other day I mentioned this about the impact that Luol Deng had on Jimmy Butler, when you have the right veterans around young guys, I think it’s critical. I think they help teach young guys how to be professional and learn the tricks of the trade and professionalism [Quickley] I can’t help but learn. “
Rose had not played in February as she took time off for “personal reasons”. He was unable to participate in the shooting because Smith’s physique was incomplete.
Finding out who matches Rose well on the back track is a challenge.
“Being a good player, that’s the most important thing,” Thibodeau said. “It’s versatile. He can play ball, he can play off the ball, just like some of our players. I think it’s one of the things I like about Quick, I like Alec Burks. Versatility; they can play when they handle the ball and they can play when they are off the ball. Have those types that are interchangeable. “
According to reports, the Heat were interested in Rose, so Miami coach Erik Spoelstra believes the Knicks got a good one.
“This partnership between him and Thibs has been very successful,” said Spoelstra, who saw Rose score 23 points in winning the Pistons against Miami on Jan. 16. “They’re confident that with new leadership, it helps to have familiar faces to understand the culture and what they’re trying to drive. Derrick is a heck of a player. When he’s healthy, he really moves the needle like we saw when we touched them a while ago. a couple of weeks ”.