New York Knicks

New York Knicks: Derrick Rose Working On His Midrange Game

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

The New York Knicks have invested in Derrick Rose being able to contribute on a consistent basis. The key will be developing his midrange jump shot.

Derrick Rose has been a revelation for the New York Knicks during the 2016-17 NBA regular season. Though he’s battled some measure of inconsistency, Rose has been a positive influence on the Knicks through 16 games.

Though the early results have been intriguing, Rose understands that he’ll need to polish certain areas of his game for the success to be sustainable.

Rose has helped the Knicks get out to an 8-8 start to the 2016-17 NBA regular season. He’s been the catalyst to team success as a slasher on a team full of players who are at times reluctant to drive into the paint.

According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Rose understands that his midrange jump shot will be critical to his ability to sustain his success.

“The way they’re playing me — I’ll need that shot,’’ Rose said. “By January, all that [bleep] will be clicking. I’m happy the way I’m putting pressure on the defense by getting to the rim.”

That’s the type of self-awareness that will define his season.

Rose is currently averaging 15.9 points, 5.0 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in 32.3 minutes per game. He’s shooting 43.2 percent from the field and 86.3 percent from the free throw line, but is hitting just 28.0 percent of his 3-point field goal attempts.

Rose is shooting just 31.3 percent on pull-up 2-point field goals and 31.6 percent on 57 midrange shot attempts.

Rose most certainly needs to improve from midrange.

Rose is currently No. 12 in the NBA with 10.3 drives per game and is No. 7 with 7.9 points via drives per game. He’s shooting 55.4 percent on drives, which is tied for No. 3 amongst the 12 players who are averaging at least 10.0 drives per game.

Rose has the explosiveness to maintain that pace, but an improved jump shot will make it significantly easier for him to operate.

Rose being aware of his flaws is an early step in the right direction.