Derrick Rose may not be the high-flying MVP player he was many years ago, but he’s found peace and contentment with his current situation.
After battling a series of injuries throughout his prime, Rose is acting as a Sixth Man for the Knicks under his former coach Tom Thibodeau.
While it’s not the path anybody would have imagined back in 2011, Rose recently told the media he’s in a good place mentally and emotionally.
“I’m playing with joy. It ain’t happiness it’s joy,” said Rose. “I’ve been through a lot, I’m in a great place, and I’m on a very talented team. It’s not on me every night to score 30 points. I don’t have a burden on me like that. I can go out there and play the game and try to affect the game by passing or just pushing the ball, so I’m in a great place.
Rose also shed some light on the difference between joy and happiness.
“I feel like happiness is temporary and joy, joyfulness is everlasting.”
Derrick Rose on how he’s feeling so far this season:
“I’m playing with joy.”
🌹🌹🌹 pic.twitter.com/6Bb6LnpNAe
— . (@TheNBACentral) November 6, 2021
Rose, 33, seems to have found a permanent NBA home in New York City. Serving as the Sixth Man, he’s posting averages of 12.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game on 46% shooting.
Considering all of the injuries Rose has had to deal with over the course of his 13-year career, it’s more than admirable that he’s still an active and important player on an NBA roster today.
And despite the drop-off in his stats, some view him as even better than he was during his MVP campaign.
“It’s not vintage,’’ said Julius Randle. “Look at the tape. Who he was as MVP and who he is now, I would say he’s a much more complete better player than he was then. It’s nothing really vintage about it. It’s evolved and become a much better player. Understanding of the game, clear mindset, he’s extremely wise, so it’s not really vintage, he’s evolving.’’
The Knicks are 6-3 this season and are likely heading towards a second-consecutive playoff berth.
But with most of the seasons till in front of them, the Knicks will need the best from all of their players, especially from their joyful backup point guard.
