Derrick Rose enjoyed the start of his season as a point guard in his first possession.
Rose started the Knicks’ 140-point blast by tearing the basket and converting a left-handed runner from the glass. The Knicks never stopped scoring in the first game that Elfrid Payton lost this season.
Is this the passing of the ship’s torch or just a one-night stand? Rose scored 18 points, hitting her first six shots in the Knicks’ 140-121 victory over the terrible Kings on Thursday at the festive Garden.
Remember when Rose got on board? Tom Thibodeau’s first observations were that Rose would “initially” leave the bank.
Payton sat down with a pain in the hamstring and Rose, acquired this month, was elected the starter – her first Knicks debut since the 2016-17 season, when she was the first with the team.
Although Rose, 32, started 618 games in his career, before the negotiation he had a 25-minute minute restriction with Detroit.
“It’s not difficult,” said Rose before the game. “It’s basketball. It’s still basketball, bro. Give the boys the ball where they want it. Thibs will put us in a great position to be prepared in certain situations and my job is just to push the ball, so just apply pressure whenever I can and just play my game. I don’t think I have to think too much. I have been a beginner for most of my career. So it shouldn’t be too difficult. ”
Former Knicks coach David Fizdale will always wonder what the final season would be like if Payton hadn’t strained his hamstring in the fifth game of the season. When Payton returned after an absence of 18 games, Fizdale was 4-18 and was fired after Payton’s first rusty game.
It has been quite different for Payton in his second season as Knick. He has been an iron man, playing the first 32 games before Thursday.
Payton was a decision for the time of the game, but canceled after making a handful of free throws an hour before the complaint. He averages 12.4 points, 3.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds in 44.1 percent of shots.
Payton’s hamstring worsened in Tuesday’s game against Golden State. He’s been durable – and effective – avoiding screams for newcomer Immanuel Quickley to start in front of him before Rose arrives.
“In terms of Elfrid’s value to the team, we saw that,” said Thibodeau. “Their strengths are different from those of some of the other guys – their size, ability to protect the ball and ability to get into the painting, they are invaluable to use. He had a very good season. ”