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Can Derrick Rose Recapture Star Form In 2016?

By Gerald Bourguet

Feb 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) looks on against the Toronto Raptors during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) looks on against the Toronto Raptors during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Derrick Rose
Feb 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) scores as Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) defends during the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 106-95. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Recent Improvement

Rose’s stat line is admittedly ugly, but since the calendar turned to 2016, he’s found some of his former rhythm. The numbers speak for themselves, especially when compared to his season averages:

  • Season averages:  16.3 PPG, 4.7 APG, 3.6 RPG, .417/.271/.799 shooting splits
  • 2016 averages:  19.0 PPG, 4.3 APG, 4.0 RPG, .453/.310/.887 shooting splits

Though Chicago only has a 7-13 record in the 20 games Rose has played in that span, that mark has more to do with the plethora of injuries the Bulls are dealing with rather than the increase in responsibility for Rose.

In 2016, Rose has been a little more aggressive attacking the basket, bumping up his free throw attempts per game to 3.1

It goes beyond the raw data, however, since Rose has just looked more like the MVP of old. Attacking the basket and drawing fouls is one thing, but Rose has gone back to his patented, agile playing style, deftly weaving through defenders in the lane and converting acrobatic layups over and around rim protectors.

Rose is only converting 46.9 percent of his attempts at the rim on the season, but since the start of 2016, he’s made 52.3 percent of his shots from inside of 10 feet, per NBA.com.

When Rose is in attack mode and putting his athleticism to good use, he can still be an effective player for the Bulls, even if he may never recapture MVP form again.

Next: The Butler Factor

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