Derrick Rose turning back the clock with Detroit Pistons

Derrick Rose is turning back the clock and the Detroit Pistons are reaping the rewards.

Derrick Rose is turning the clock back while playing for the Detroit Pistons.His play is not at the level of 2011 but he is giving the Pistons what they hoped for since they signed him.

Ever since the game that Derrick Rose scored 50 points for the Minnesota Timberwolves in a three point win over the Utah Jazz on October 31, 2018, you knew he still had love for the game. The interview afterwards when he broke down in tears showed that Rose was not taking anything for granted.

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Prior to this, the 2011 MVP appeared to be sliding into obscurity before his 30th birthday. He has reinvigorated his career with two stellar seasons. The Pistons have been using Rose off the bench, even though they have been without starting point guard Reggie Jackson for most of the season.

Rose, who appears totally comfortable with his reserve role. He is not just scoring at a solid rate, his play making abilities are coming back too. He is averaging 16.6 points, 6.0 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game. His slash line is 48.3/31.8/86.4 which compares favorably with is career numbers of 45.4/30.6/82.5.

Rose has eight games where he has scored 20 points or more, including a 31-point effort against the Philadelphia 76ers, However, in those eight games, the Pistons are 2-6. Rose is no longer able to carry a team with his scoring like he used to, but is trying.

However, it is not his scoring where Rose is turning back the clock. His play making is where he is making the main difference to the Pistons. Rose has 12 games where he has six or more assists.

In these games the Pistons are 8-4  In every one of these 12 games Rose has also scored in double figures, collecting three double-doubles in the process. In these games the Pistons are 2-1.

Taking a deeper dive into Rose’s numbers provides an incredible insight into his game. Rose is performing better on the road that he is at home. When at home, Rose is averaging 15.8 points and 5.1 assists.

Compare that to playing away from Detroit, where Rose is averaging  17.7 points and 7.3 assists per game. Rose steps up on the road where him teammates are not playing as well. Take a look at the way Rose finishes for his team.

The self belief is back for Rose, as he says, he was born for this.

Rose is still showing that he is a super competitor. While hitting game winners is awesome, looking into his numbers in wins vs. losses is telling.

When the team is winning, Rose is averaging 13.1 points and 7.3 assists. Conversely, when the Pistons lose, the competitor in Rose comes out even more. He is averaging 18.9 points and 5.2 assists. There is simply no quit in the man.

While Rose is never going to get back to his 2011 best, he is currently in a career renaissance. His play is helping the Detroit Pistons back up the standings into a playoff contender. He will certainly be in the running for Sixth Man of the Year and it is a joy to watch him play.