Derrick Rose Comments on Trade to Knicks, Health and More

Derrick Rose's trade to the New York Knicks after eight years with the Chicago Bulls was one of the biggest moves of the offseason, and the point guard spoke about his new home, his health and more with Nick DePaula of The Vertical. 

"I couldn’t believe it," Rose said of the trade that sent him, Justin Holiday and a 2017 second-round pick to the Knicks in exchange for Robin Lopez, Jose Calderon and Jerian Grant. "I was kind of hurt at first, of course, coming from my hometown and moving, period. Being away from my kids and away my family, that’s going to get to you, no matter who you are. You’re going to be emotional about it."

Rose seems excited for his change of scenery, however.

"I’m going to a great market, and to a city where they love basketball and basketball is a culture there," he told DePaula. "They just love players that play hard, and I think that I fit that personality. I’m a person that’s going to play hard and give the game everything that he’s got."

The Knicks have put together an interesting collection of talent. Carmelo Anthony remains the organization's centerpiece, while Kristaps Porzingis is fresh off an excellent rookie season. The team also signed veterans Joakim Noah, Courtney Lee and Brandon Jennings.

Pulling that group together will be the charge of new head coach Jeff Hornacek, who likely has a postseason mandate after Knicks president Phil Jackson added veteran help and built around Anthony in the short term rather than Porzingis with the future in mind.

Rose, however, believes in the talent the Knicks have accumulated.

"I just love the group," he said (via Slam). "... I think everybody is on the same page. I love the culture that Phil is creating. Just the organization and franchise. I love everybody that works for them. They seem like they’re very excited ... I think that rubs off on people."

Whether that translates to success will hinge largely on Rose's health, however. Rose averaged 16.4 points and 4.7 assists for the Bulls last season, though he missed 16 games.

Missing time has become a familiar theme for Rose. Since winning the league MVP award in the 2010-11 season, a series of knee issues and other injuries have limited Rose's on-court time:

• 2011-12: Tore ACL in left knee during playoff matchup with Philadelphia.
• 2012-13: Missed the entire season.
• 2013-14: Played just 10 games before tearing his meniscus in his right knee.
• 2014-15: Missed 31 games, largely due to another right meniscus tear.

But Rose isn't worried about his injuries, and the 27-year-old feels he has plenty of basketball left.

"I feel like I’m not done," he noted. "It’s a new start. I feel rejuvenated, and when you put all that together, when I step on the floor, I really don’t know what to expect. What I’m doing right now is just preparing myself for something big. I think we have a chance to win every game, and in the league, that’s rare. "

The Knicks are hoping he's right. If players like Rose and Noah can stay healthy, New York can reach the postseason. But if the injury bug bites once again, Jackson's plan to quickly return the team to the playoffs will be a disaster.

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