FIBA World Cup: Derrick Rose Looks Rosier Against Slovenia
Derrick Rose had his best game in the FIBA World Cup yet, showing his demise might have been slightly exaggerated. Apparently his career is not entirely over yet, as he scored 12 points and dished five assists in just 18 minutes of action against Slovenia in the quarterfinals of the world cup.
Now, granted, he’s nowhere near his MVP level. And we should recognize these World Cup games don’t really mean very much. He’s not “back” any more than he was last game, but perhaps he demonstrated that some of his struggles have been overblown.
No, Derrick Rose’s career is not yet over.
At least, now there are a couple of highlights to brighten your day. Here he is on the fast break. Doesn’t that drive through traffic look like vintage Rose?
Here he is again on another break, but this time he welcomes contact and goes glass.
Now he gets the steal and goes for the dunk…assist…Rondo.
The highlights don’t mean the world, nor does one game, but the one thing that Rose was showing as the game went on was confidence, swag, bravado, cockiness or whatever you want call it.
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I’ll just call it the rosiness of Rose—the thing that makes him special.
That belief in himself that he can slash through the lane at moment’s notice and finish at the rim was back.
That little hesitation dribble that leaves the defender paranoid was back.
For once, he didn’t look like he was trying to become a player he’s not. He was more assertive, particularly in the second half. As the game wore on it seemed like he gained more of his old step.
And because of that, his passing game was back too. His best assists come off the threat of him driving. He smartly exploited the collapsing defender by finding the open three-point shooter for two of his five assists.
In all, he accounted for 24 points in just 18 minutes of action, easily his best performance yet. He made 6-of-10 shots, which is still too small a sample size to call it a revival, but at least it’s not 0-of-5.
It will take a lot more performances like that, and he has to have them in regular-season competition before he’s really “back,” but at least today’s performance showed he can get there.