Derrick Rose has only played two games with the Cleveland Cavaliers this season due to an ankle sprain. But apparently that’s enough for the former MVP to know that something is different in this offense compared to his short stint with the New York Knicks.
“(With the Cavaliers), I get to do whatever I want. In New York, I couldn’t. It was just simple,” Rose said, via the NY Post. “That’s why I made the transition.”
New York’s Triangle Offense was definitely very limiting for numerous members of the team over the past couple seasons. In Cleveland, it’s more about the flow of the game and spacing to take advantage of LeBron James’ elite-level passing.
Obviously, someone of James’ caliber is what was also missing with the Knicks last season. No offense to Carmelo Anthony there.
But for Rose, it was more about a lack of freedom in New York.
“There wasn’t no freedom (with the Knicks). Here, I got freedom. Coach (Tyronn) Lue and the team have been doing a great job of letting me play the way that I want to play,” Rose continued. “So I can’t complain at all.”
That’s definitely a backhanded shot at the Knicks, but it’s also well deserved. Now, whether this will translate to further success for Rose in Cleveland remains to be seen.
He now needs to get (and remain) healthy, something that has proven to be difficult for the former MVP in recent seasons.