The New York Knicks’ offseason moves looked promising on paper – bringing former MVP Derrick Rose, former All-Star Joakim Noah, and new head coach Jeff Hornacek into the fray to change the team’s fortunes. Through nine games so far, it’s been frequently ugly, and Rose has not been happy.
“Losing hurts. Period,” Rose said following the Knicks’ 118-107 loss to the Toronto Raptors—the team’s sixth loss of the young season. “I’ve never been a loser in my life. We got to figure ways out. We’re getting closer. We’re getting a lot closer, but the effort we have, we got to have that effort throughout the entire game.”
Rose, who has so far looked like his former with frequent forays to the basket, also decried what he views is unfair treatment from the officials.
“I’m finding ways to the basket, getting there. I’m more concerned about me not getting calls,” he told the New York Daily News. “I’m getting to the lane the same way everyone else is, and I’m still not getting calls.”
During the game against the Raptors, 15 of Rose’s 20 shots were taken near the basket. He shot only two free throws in a game where he played a season-high 38 minutes. For the season, Rose is taking 60 percent of his shots within eight feet, yet is only averaging 2.4 free throw attempts per game.
“They said I throw myself into people. That’s the league. If I beat them there, I’m there before they’re there and their hands aren’t straight up. I think it’s a foul if there’s contact,” he added.
The explosive guard has been as good as Knicks fans could’ve expected when the Knicks signed the injury-plagued former MVP. Through nine games, Rose is averaging 16 points and 4.8 assists per, while making 45 percent of his shots.
