The Pistons and Derrick Rose mutually agreed that it should be negotiated. Detroit is in last place. Rose, 32, wanted to play on a team closer to the playoffs.
So, he went to the … Knicks.
NBA Radio SiriusXM:
🔊@DetroitPistons Head coach Dwane Casey describes @talkhoops, @ badboyhorn44, & @LegsESPN the conversation he had with Derrick Rose days before his negotiation for the #Knicks #DetroitUp #NewYorkForever pic.twitter.com/d9Mk4afsEW
– NBA Radio SiriusXM (@SiriusXMNBA) February 10, 2021
Pistons coach, Dwane Casey:
In the last few days before the trade went down, we had great conversations about – it was open and honest. “Coach, I only have a few kilometers left on my legs. I want to make sure I get to a situation where I have a chance to make it to the playoffs this year. I know where you are, rebuilding and retrofitting. And I just want to go where they have a chance to make it to the playoffs. ” And I said, “Derrick, you can have a chance here as much as they have in New York.”
But I understand your relationship with Thibs. Thibs started out as a beginner. This is special. You will never change that. So, I’m happy for Derrick. I’m glad that we were able to accommodate him and find a decent place to go and a place he wanted to go to.
The Pistons (6-19) are probably better than their record. Their scoring margin – usually a better indicator of future success than the record – is that of a typical 9-16 team.
The Knicks (11-15) can be worse than your record. New York opponents are shooting a terrible 32% with 3 points. While teams can avoid attempts, teams have little control over the opponent’s 3-point percentage. As this is likely to return to average, the Knicks’ defense will slip.
But:
- Just because Pistons are probably better than your record and Knicks can be worse than your record does not mean that Pistons are better than Knicks.
- New York has already accumulated an advantage of 4.5 games against Detroit. Until And if they play better than the Knicks for the rest of the season, the Pistons will struggle to make up for this deficit.
- Detroit built its record with Rose. New York was playing without Rose. Presumably, Rose’s team switch will make the Knicks better and the Pistons worse in the future.
Also, as Casey said, it wasn’t just about Rose joining a better team. Rose also met with Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, who coached Rose with the Bulls.
But it was at least a little bit about the quality of the team. That’s why Casey addressed the problem with Rose.
I think Casey was focused on expressing confidence in his team, rather than denigrating another team. But in the process, he did give the Knicks a chance.
Which is always fun.