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Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 reasons Derrick Rose can win 2 awards in 2018-19

By Luke Askew

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 31: Derrick Rose #25 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the Utah Jazz on October 31, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 31: Derrick Rose #25 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the Utah Jazz on October 31, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Rose’s impact off the bench

Yes, Derrick Rose has had a stronger impact on the team during the games in which he was a starter, but his impact as a reserve has still been incredible.

Rose was likely to be coming off the bench for the entire 2018-19 season before the whole Jimmy Butler nonsense started. Then, the roster and rotation got a little fluid. Now that Butler is in a Philadelphia 76ers uniform and the Wolves’ rotation is starting to take permanent shape, it looks like Rose will continue serving as the team’s primary bench scorer.

Rose has a solid bench unit to run with, including newly acquired Dario Saric, talented big man Gorgui Dieng, promising rookie Josh Okogie and true point guard Tyus Jones.

Not only is Rose the best scorer on the second unit, but he provides the most experience — something that’s incredibly valuable for a second unit to possess.

An important factor when voting for Sixth Man of the Year is determining how much value said player brings to his team in the fourth quarter. For all players that have played in at least 10 games, Rose is second in the league in fourth quarter scoring among bench players and even ranks higher than some incredible starters like Damian Lillard, Stephen Curry and Kawhi Leonard.

So yeah, it’s safe to say Rose adds late-game value to the Timberwolves, even coming off the bench.

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