Happy Anniversary Derrick
Special to the NY Beacon
By Andrew Rosario
After the New York Knicks had their nine-game winning streak snapped by the Phoenix Suns last week, they immediately turned their attention to their next home game against the Chicago Bulls. They didn’t want the losing streak to extend to two games knowing the next six games would be on the road. They disposed of the Bulls 113-94 with scalding Julius Randle leading all scorers with 34 points. His side-kick RJ Barrett chipping in 22. Taking their show on the road, knowing the next six games would have a huge impact on their playoff seeding, the Knicks traveled to Houston last Sunday night to take on a Rockets team with a record of 16-49 who are just playing out the season. New York jumped on them early coming away with a 122-97 victory. Randle followed his Chicago game, with another game high 31 points but got major help again from Barrett (21 points) and a big boost from the bench in the name of Derrick Rose who scored 24 points in 31 minutes. Rose scored 15 points on 6-7 shooting in the first half. Rose talked about how the team has confidence in him when he is on the floor. “I wouldn’t be playing this way with as much freedom if they didn’t allow me. So, I appreciate them more than anything,” he said after the win.
This past Monday night was the second game of the six-game road trip and it would not have been a surprise if there was a letdown given it was their second game in a row. They traveled to Memphis to take on a Grizzlies team (32-32) hoping to keep their postseason hopes alive. Randle stayed white hot leading both teams with 28 points. For the second straight game, Rose came up big, again. This time scoring a season high 25 points in the 118-104 victory. New York blew a 17-point fourth quarter lead but managed to hang on for their third straight win and 12 of their last 13. With the win, it guaranteed the Knicks first winning season since 2013. That year they won 54 games.
10 years ago, Derrick Rose became the youngest player in the history of the league when he was voted Most Valuable Player. Injuries have taken its toll on him. He has adjusted to the roll afforded to him by first year head coach Tom Thibideau who coached Rose in Chicago. Said Tibbs of Rose after the win, “he’s always been a team-first guy and winning always at the forefront. He’s always been a great teammate. He’s happy when other people have success. He’s most happy when the team wins.” Without a doubt, Randle has been the engine running the team. Rose has had just as much impact coming off the bench and providing veteran leadership.
The road warriors continued their trek last night when they took on the high-powered Denver Nuggets led Nikola Jokic who many feel will come away with this year’s MVP. Coming into the game, Jokic is averaging 26 ppg, grabbing 10.9 rebounds and dishing out 8.5 assist. The streaking Knicks will have their work cut out for them before moving on to Phoenix hoping to get back at the Suns who broke their nine-game winning streak.
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