Former MVP Derrick Rose of New York Knicks visited Air Canada Centre on Saturday night for first time not as a member of the Chicago Bulls.
Rose’s 21 points and four assists were not enough as the team fell 118-107 to Toronto Raptors and dropped to 3-7 to begin the season.
Prior to the game, the three-time All Star took time to speak to Xinhua about playing in the NBA’s largest market and his hobbies off the court.
As a native of Chicago and having been a member of the Bulls since being drafted first overall in the 2008 draft, the 28-year-old was traded in the offseason along with Justin Holiday and a 2017 second-round draft pick to New York Knicks for Robin Lopez, Jose Calderon, and Jerian Grant.
The trade in the summer put Rose in unchartered territory by having to live in an unfamiliar city and play with a new organization.
“I think I’m built for it. The way that I play and how hard I work, I think I’m built for that crowd,” said Rose before Saturday’s game. “I’m trying to feel everything out. Not trying to rush it.”
Despite the poor start to the season, the Knicks enter the season with changes to both the coaching staff and roster.
After two seasons under former head coach Derek Fisher, Jeff Hornacek was brought along in June to lead the team’s bench.
Along with Rose and Holiday, veterans Courtney Lee, Brandon Jennings and Joakim Noah were signed in the offseason as free agents. Rose, Lee and Noah currently make up three-fifths of the starting line-up, with nine-time All Star Carmelo Anthony and Latvian Kristaps Porzingis rounding out the remainder of the starting-five.
“It’s different than wanting to go out there and put up 25 (points) or 30 (points) every night,” said Rose who used to be the primary scoring option on Chicago. “You got to figure out how to win as a group first and then you start adding on personal goals.”
In his eighth season in the league, Rose is focused on winning and is avoiding the distractions a world-class city like New York brings.
“I’ve been in the house ever since I got here. I’m a loner. I don’t need to go outside or be around people to have fun,” said Rose. “Me having fun is sitting in the crib and watching documentaries, TV shows, and wrestling all day.”
When asked about his favourite TV shows and documentaries, Rose provided a wide range of genres.
“I have a few right now. Westworld is really, really good. Also Atlanta and American Horror Story,” said Rose. He also liked a recent documentary about American chess prodigy Bobby Fischer.
With the season still young, Rose will continue his sheltered approach until at least the end of the season.
“The summer is when I tend to be out there a little more, but this year I’m just focused on trying to win games, said Rose. “After that, I’ll probably experience the city a little more.” Enditem
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(Via: NewsGhana)
