Detroit Pistons point guard Derrick Rose is having his best season since the last time he was an All-Star. A return to Chicago would be nostalgic.
It’s been a long path back but Derrick Rose has revived his career with the Detroit Pistons, having his best season since before his knee injury.
Rose’s numbers this season most closely resemble that of his last All-Star selection in 2011-12 – before his suffered his career-altering ACL tear.
In 32 games this season, he’s averaging 33.9 points and 11.4 assists per 100 possessions. That compares to 33.4 points and 12 assists per 100 possessions during the 2011-12 season. His Player Efficiency Rating was 23 in his last All-Star season, compared to 21.9 this season.
He is already going to be a part of the festivities in his hometown of Chicago. The 31-year-old point guard was named as a NBA Skills Challenge participant, an event that he won in his rookie season in 2009.
The case for Rose is being built by the fan vote. He was fourth among Eastern Conference guards in the fan vote, which accounts for 50% of the voting process. NBA head coaches get 25% and media members account for the other 25%.
Rose’s 918,550 votes sits behind top vote-getter Trae Young (1,389,628), Kyrie Irving (1,351,997) and Kemba Walker (1,331,577). It’s possible Rose could get in as a reserve or injury replacement, especially considering Irving is dealing with a right shoulder impingement which has kept him out since Nov. 14.
NBA All-Star voting second fan returns. @KingJames @Giannis_An34 @luka7doncic @TheTraeYoung leading the way. pic.twitter.com/msDdbmnsjB
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) January 9, 2020
Turning the clock back to Rose’s 2011-12 season, he’s improved on his shooting since then. This season he has a shooting line of .484/.330/878. In his last All-Star season his line was .435/.312/.812.
Rose is celebrated like a hometown hero by Chicagoans. Each time he returns to the United Center it’s special. He gets an ovation. He’s hit countless game-winners, including winning a state championship for Chicago Simeon in 2006.
More from PistonPowered
- Which Detroit Pistons could save Team USA in the Olympics?
- Detroit Pistons could have major roster churn after 2023-24 season
- The best Detroit Pistons to wear each uniform number
- Full Detroit Pistons NBA 2K24 ratings
- Detroit Pistons: Who will sign the remaining NBA free agents?
Rose is a transcendent star that captured the fandom of many. His explosiveness driving to the rim and elevating to throw down a flush was special. He still channels that explosiveness, which will be on display in the Skills Challenge.
His ascension to NBA stardom was quick, as he won Rookie of the Year while averaging 16.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game. Two seasons later he became the league’s youngest player to win its Most Valuable Player award. He averaged a career-best 25 points per game while adding 7.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game. In his MVP season, Rose led the Bulls to their only Eastern Conference Finals appearance since Michael Jordan suited up for them.
It will be a nostalgic weekend for Rose as he returns for the Skills Challenge. Nostalgia will be high for Bulls fans who still wear his threads with pride. It could be amplified if Rose makes the All-Star team.
He’s done all he can do to get back to playing at a high level, it’s up to others to recognize it.