New York Knicks: The Derrick Rose trade should challenge Tom Thibodeau

Derrick Rose on the court for the New York Knicks

We’re focusing so much on how this impacts Immanuel Quickley that we’re ignoring how Derrick Rose has looked this season. The former MVP is still attacking the rim like always. He’s averaging 12.5 drives per game and ranks in the 79th percentile of the frequency of shots at the rim for point guards.

But Rose is only making 46 percent of his shots at the rim — 11th percentile via Cleaning the Glass. His individual efficiency differential (-5.9) is ninth on the team. That’s on a Pistons team that ranks 25th overall in efficiency differential, by the way. He won’t provide help spacing the floor either. He’s shooting just 7 of 23 (30.4 percent) on catch and shoot 3-pointers.

But Rose is still effective in the pick and roll. He’s only in the 50th percentile — just average — but he can still do this regularly. Like Immanuel Quickley, Rose’s go-to move is a floater.

The most alarming Rose stat to Knicks fans is probably his usage. Rose is 11th among active players in career usage percentage. He needs the ball in his hands to succeed. The only season Rose had a usage percentage less than 25 percent was his rookie year. It’s unlikely he’ll replicate that now — when the coach wants the ball in his hands.

But the Knicks didn’t just acquire Rose because of his connection with Thibodeau. The Knicks are 25th in bench scoring — via NBA Stats — and Rose will provide some pop with the second unit. Regardless of his stats dipping, he’s still averaging 14.2 points per game. On the Knicks, he’s the third-leading scorer.

Eventually, Rose’s numbers will look cleaner. But don’t listen to what Wally Szczerbiak tells you. There’s a reason the Knicks were able to get Rose for the recently G-Leagued Smith and a second-round pick. He’s not the same guy, and the key to this trade working out is Thibodeau not treating him like he is. Rose’s numbers have been rough this year, which doesn’t mean we should see more of him.

Tom Thibodeau got what he wanted. He’s got Derrick Rose at point guard. Now it’s up to the head coach to make it work.