New York Knicks: Derrick Rose Is Working On His Jump Shot

New York Knicks point guard Derrick Rose is working on his jump shot. It’s only training camp, but it’s beginning to look like a strength.

The notion that a player needs to be an elite shooter to be successful in the modern era has been disproven on a rather consistent basis. LeBron James has never qualified for the distinction, yet he’s a three-time NBA champion.

True as that all may be, New York Knicks point guard Derrick Rose doesn’t appear to be satisfied with having a weakness in his game.

Rose won the 2011 NBA MVP award without much of a jump shot, which is an encouraging sign. He’s not quite as explosive as he used to be, however, and he’s now playing in a system that flourishes when guards can shoot with efficiency.

Per Ian Begley of ESPN New York, the Knicks’ new point guard has been working to improve his jump shot and 3-point range.

Derrick Rose working on the corner three after the Knicks' final training camp practice: pic.twitter.com/F0ls7OK6Ps

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) October 1, 2016

That’s not his actual form, but it’s a helpful activity.

Rose has long struggled to maintain consistent form when rising up for a jump shot. Taking practice shots without elevation should help him improve in that regard.

Rose is focusing on his mechanics, which is a necessary act before broaching the subject of his elevation and release point.

Rose is a career 30.2 percent shooter from 3-point range. He made 128 3-point field goals on a respectable mark of 33.2 percent from beyond the arc when he won MVP in 2010-11, but shot below 30 percent in both 2014-15 and 2015-16.

The hope is that, with a rare full offseason for rest, recovery, and training, Rose can come back with a better jump shot.

It’s worth noting that, in 21 games after the All-Star Break, Rose made 18 3-point field goals on 37.5 percent shooting from distance. That’s a limited sample size, but it was also when he began to find his rhythm.

If his improved mechanics are a sign of things to come, then Rose could have a solid shooting season in 2016-17.

New York will need him at his best.