Derrick Rose ‘still can’t believe’ he’s a Knick again, his first choice, back with Tom Thibodeau and even Knicks senior vice president William Wesley, who was involved in attending Memphis.
And he sounded delighted to be able to mentor Knicks rookie point guard Immanuel Quickley – his defender off the bench.
In his first comments to reporters since the trade, after the Miami loss, Rose said he thinks the world of Quickley.
“It shouldn’t be too difficult with him,” said Rose. “We’re similar. He’s getting a double squad in his rookie year. There aren’t that many rookies getting that kind of attention. Seeing that kind of early will just make his game better. The game will slow down more. And he listens. That’s the best thing about him, he listens. That always gives you room for improvement. He’s a dog. He’s a dog. I can’t explain it. You have to be a player to understand it. knows he fights. ”
After the morning shoot, Quickley revealed that Rose was spending dinner time with him and fellow rookie Obi Toppin.
“He just emphasized me – first he gave me his number – said everything I needed, just hit him,” Quickley said. ‘But he kind of sat down with me, me and Obi actually, just told us he’s here to help us, he’s here to help us grow and things like that. It’s good to have a chance to talk to him last night. “
Rose reflected on his first stint in New York with Jeff Hornacek and Phil Jackson. Hornacek tried to get Rose to shoot more threes, but he was uncomfortable. Rose said he is now a better 3-point shooter, hitting 2 of 3 in his second Knicks debut.
“I was quite stubborn,” said Rose. “They wanted me to like shoot 3s and stuff, but I felt like at the end of the year teams would judge me on my effectiveness and my efficient rate. That’s one of the reasons I didn’t shoot 3s, and then if you looked at the team we had Melo [Carmelo Anthony] and KP [Kristaps Porzingis]so I feel like I didn’t have to shoot 3s. My job was to push the ball and get it going. Years later, I feel like I am adjusting. … I am now more of a threat that you can no longer go under screens. I try to push the ball, and I let the game come to me and stop forcing it. “
Now it is his third stint at Thibodeau.
“It’s family here,” said Rose. “I’ve got Wes here. I have Thibs here. I have laid a foundation here for everyone with whom I have had success. ”
Several title contenders made offers for Rose, but he confirmed The Post’s report that the Knicks were his first choice.
“Of course,” said Rose. “Even though I couldn’t say that at the time, I just wanted to feel comfortable. I’ve known these guys since high school, eighth grade, high school. I never really thought of anything else, but really come here and understand that they wanted me to help the young guys they already have here grow. ”