New York Knicks: Derrick Rose Is Loving New York City

The New York Knicks could benefit from an outside force in the potential re-signing of point guard Derrick Rose: the city they play in.

New York City can overwhelm people for all of the right and wrong reasons. Some people aren’t build to live at the pace that New York City runs, just as many feel alive when surrounded by the cultural diversity.

In the case of starting point guard Derrick Rose, it’s something different that has him loving his time with the New York Knicks.

Rose is 19 games into what’s thus far been an enjoyable tenure as a member of the Knicks. He’s scoring with intriguing volume and efficiency, is moving like the explosive athlete of old, and seems to be getting along with his new teammates.

According to Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News, Rose’s love for New York is beyond basketball and into the pursuit of anonymity when off the court.

“Being in the City, experiencing the way I’ve been experiencing it, and having the freedom that I have. I think it’s only a few places I can live in the States where I can have that much freedom and being here. I think they’re used to the celebrity,” Rose told the News. “And with me – how can I put it? – me like learning who I am as a man, and experiencing everything I experienced, I really don’t like fame like that.”

“I can walk around and be a regular person here.”

That’s undeniably appealing to celebrities who encounter crowds of passionate fans almost everywhere they go.

Rose has been a star since he was playing high school basketball for the Simeon in Chicago. He won Mr. Basketball for the state of Illinois, led the Memphis Tigers to the National Championship Game as a freshman, and became the youngest MVP in NBA history.

Thus, Rose is far more familiar with the spotlight than the average NBA player.

It appears as though New York is the type of environment he’s been dreaming of.

Rose is currently averaging 16.8 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.2 rebounds in 32.2 minutes per game. He’s shooting 44.5 percent from the field and 84.5 percent from the free throw line, and while his 3-point shooting has been poor, he’s driving at will.

Rose is currently No. 5 in the NBA in points via drives per game with 7.9 on 55.0 percent shooting.

If Rose can put forth a healthy and productive 2016-17 campaign, then he could be spending the foreseeable future in New York.