New York Knicks: Derrick Rose Aiming To Play 82 Games

After years of injuries, New York Knicks starting point guard Derrick Rose is aiming to play 82 games during the 2016-17 NBA regular season.

The New York Knicks made a risky investment during the 2016 NBA offseason. Team president Phil Jackson traded Jose Calderon, Jerian Grant, and Robin Lopez to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Derrick Rose, Justin Holiday, and a second-round draft pick.

Rose’s injury history is checkered, but he’s made strides over the past two seasons and is looking to complete the recovery process in 2016-17.

Rose missed 27 games in 2011-12, the entire 2012-13 season, and played just 10 games in 2013-14. Rose played 51 games in 2014-15 and 66 in 2015-16, which has set the stage for his current goal.

According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Rose’s goal for the 2016-17 NBA regular season is to play all 82 games.

“My goal is to play 82,’’ said Rose, who missed 119 regular-season games the previous three seasons. “I don’t want to miss a game. Playing against every great team in this league, playing against every great player, from Dame [Damian Lillard], Kemba [Walker] to Westbrook. I worked out with Westbrook over the summer. To have the opportunity to play against great guards and compete against them and give them a good game gives me a lot of confidence and just lets me know I’m on the right track.’’

If he even comes close to 82 games played, it’d be difficult to do anything but call this a successful season for him.

Thus far, Rose has played in all 16 games during the 2016-17 NBA regular season. New York is 8-8 during those games, with Rose playing a defining role in both the success and failure of Jeff Hornacek’s team.

Rose has been an invaluable contributor as a slashing playmaker, albeit with inconsistencies as a distributor that have caused some inconsistencies.

Fortunately, Rose has been clutch.

Rose is currently 15.9 points, 5.0 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in 32.3 minutes per game. He’s shooting 43.2 percent from the field and has flashed the explosiveness that made him one of the most exciting players in the NBA before his injuries.

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

That’s uncanny.

Rose may or may not play 82 games in 2016-17, but in recent outings, he’s looked the part of a tremendous contributor. He’s made clutch shots, has been a spark plug for the offense, and has even stepped up defensively.

The question is: can Rose remain healthy during the 2016-17 NBA regular season?

His doing so could define the trajectory of the season.