The Knicks have received “one of the elite players in this league” for Dennis Smith Jr. This is at least the idea of Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, who has a dead end for Derrick Rose.
Thibodeau said that Rose will “initially” come off the bench and is happy to hear his favorite player tell him the excellent form he is in.
Using the word “initial” could mean that Elfrid Payton, Knicks’ starting point, should be on alert if his game does not stay up to standard.
Thibodeau enjoyed Payton’s defense, but now has one of his all-time favorite players at Rose. Thibodeau trained Rose in Chicago, Minnesota and now in New York.
“He’s obviously someone I’m familiar with,” Thibodeau said before Tuesday’s game in Miami. “It simply came to our notice then. But most of it is what we felt could contribute to our team. I’ve always been partial to good players. If anyone is a good player, I’m interested. And I think it will add a lot to our team. I know his character. I know what kind of teammate he is.
“He 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 he’s as healthy as he is. ”
Asked about Rose’s role, Thibodeau said, “We’ll look at him. Initially, he will probably start coming off the bench. I like the way both groups played. And we’ve been relatively healthy so far. So you always have to be prepared. But my job is to make sure that the guys who are not currently in rotation stay ready. ”
A Pistons source said Rose’s production gave up after about 25 minutes and held him with an unofficial minute restriction. But Thibodeau has always had a weakness, despite knee surgery, for Rose, who won the league’s MVP award in Chicago 10 years ago when he was 22 and Thibodeau was his head coach.
Thibodeau declined to say he asked management to trade for Rose, which agreed on Tuesday. Knicks President Leon Rose, who has not spoken publicly since the end of July, has not been made available for comment on the trade.
“I think that’s part of the management’s responsibility to the team,” Thibodeau said. “I think Leon and Wes [William Wesley, senior vice president] and Scott [Perry], have a constant communication with all 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, which could add, but there are a number of players that have been discussed. I don’t really focus on that. I’m focusing on the guys we have here. If I feel that something is good for the team, then obviously everyone will decide who we will have, who I’m going with. ”
The enigma is the possibility that the 32-year-old Rose stole minutes from debutant goalkeeper Immanuel Quickley, a fan favorite.
Thibodeau said Rose’s mentoring is essential.
“In terms of mentoring, I think it’s essential,” Thibodeau said. “You talk about a guy who – is still one of the elite payers in the league in terms of, you look at what he did and achieved, then the fact that he was a great teammate.
“When you look at the evolution of the players, I mentioned this the other day about the impact that Luol Deng had on Jimmy Butler, when you have the right veterans around young boys, I think it’s essential. I think it helps young people to be professionals 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 shootaround because Smith’s physique was not completed.
Finding who fits Rose well in the backyard is a challenge.
“Being a good player is the most important thing,” Thibodeau said. “It’s versatile. He can play ball, he can play ball – just like some of our players. I think this is one of the things I like about Quick, I like Alec Burks. Versatility; they can play when they are handling the ball and they can play when they are off the ball. Having those guys who are interchangeable. ”
The Heat were reportedly interested in Rose, so Miami coach Erik Spoelstra thinks the Knicks got a good one.
“The partnership between him and Thibs was very successful,” said Spoelstra, who saw Rose score 23 points in a Pistons win over Miami on Jan. 16. “I am confident that with a new leadership, it helps to have familiar faces to understand the culture and what they are trying to lead. Derrick is a heck of a player. When it’s healthy, it really moves the needle, like I saw when I played them a few weeks ago. ”