New York Knicks: Derrick Rose's Season Ends With Another Injury
Derrick Rose's tenure as a member of the New York Knicks may have officially come to an end after suffering another knee injury.
The summer of 2016 brought plenty of optimism for the dynamic injury prone point guard Derrick Rose after being traded from his hometown Chicago Bulls to the New York Knicks.
The former league Most Valuable Player had high hopes with the prospect of teaming up with All-Star Carmelo Anthony and young exciting upstart Kristaps Porzingis. The new surroundings with old teammate Joakim Noah added to the mix began thoughts of this year's squad possibly being a contender. Or, as Rose eloquently labeled it in an interview with reporters, a "super team."
"I mean, with these teams right now, they're saying us and Golden State are the super teams, and they're trying not to build that many super teams, and Adam Silver came out with the statement and this and that. … You've got Brandon (Jennings) who just signed for one year, he's got to show why he's there. I've got to show why I'm there. Joakim (Noah) has to show why he's there. Everybody's trying to prove themselves."
Fast forward to Sunday afternoon moments before the tip of the Knicks' matchup with the East-leading Boston Celtics and another domino of depression fell in the season.
Rose was announced to be out for the rest of the regular season with a torn meniscus from the Knicks public relations staff. Rose finishes the season averaging 18.0 points, 4.4 assists and 3.8 rebounds per contest in 64 games all starts.
"An MRI of Derrick Rose's left knee revealed a torn meniscus that will require an arthroscopy" – via New York #Knicks Public Relations
— Ed Easton Jr. (@EdEastonJr) April 2, 2017
The Knicks would go on to lose the game 110 – 94 pretty easily in front of a nationally televised audience but in a rebuilding "tanking" situation no one seemed to be complaining. The focus was primarily on the once dynamic guard dealt another blow in his quest to returning among the game's elite point guards.
Highlights from the #Knicks loss to the #Celtics at MSG pic.twitter.com/wNcs4k6wtd
— Ed Easton Jr. (@EdEastonJr) April 2, 2017
Originally Rose was very confident about playing the final few games of the regular season even to the extent of just thinking it was only soreness in his knee. He spoke with the media prior to the teams matchup with the Miami Heat earlier in the week expressing great pride in the way his body held for most of the season.
"I'm very proud with how my body held up and how I've competed this year, Those were my two main goals that I wanted to achieve while I was here, which was going out here and compete every single night, no matter who is on the floor and feeling healthy and feeling like myself. Whenever I stepped on the floor I think I did a great job, I think I reached those two goals every single game."
#DerrickRose speaking with reporters before tonight's #Knicks game against the #Heat in Miami pic.twitter.com/0gdJSwYPxc
— Ed Easton Jr. (@EdEastonJr) March 31, 2017
The injury marks an end to Rose's season, but opens the door for questions regarding his health moving forward and value on the free agent market. The numbers are respectable, but the fear of injury and inconsistent play from the outside could hold him back from a few millions of dollars as teams look to reload this offseason.
As the Knicks remain his best bet to make more money, Rose has been very adamant about playing for a contender and possibly taking less to win more.
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