New York Knicks: Derrick Rose Will Be A More Mature Player
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

New York Knicks‘ Derrick Rose spoke to The Vertical about how he plans to change his game with his new team.

Derrick Rose had a roller coaster seven seasons with the Chicago Bulls before being traded in June to the New York Knicks for a fresh start with a new jersey number and all.

Rose spoke to The Vertical‘s Nick DePaula about his future in New York.

The point guard made some noise earlier in the offseason when he ranked the Knicks as one of the league’s super teams in the league category of the Golden State Warriors. His confidence in his new teammates didn’t waver when he had the opportunity to go back on his words.

Rose reiterated his high, somewhat delusional expectations for the Knicks.

“I feel like I’m not done,” Rose said. “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. ”

It’s a little disconcerting that even Rose isn’t sure what to expect when he steps on the court in 2016-17, but you should be encouraged by the trust he has in his teammates.

Rose notably switched to the No. 25 after the trade, leaving behind the No. 1 that he wore for seven seasons with the Bulls.

He chose the No. 1 in Chicago because that was his number on his AAU team when according to Rose he was, “more aggressive and more dominant” but 25 was his number in high school.

Rose wore 25 in high school to honor Benji Wilson. Rose and Wilson — the subject of the ESPN 30 for 30 entitled “Benji” — went to Simeon High School in Chicago.

Wilson was one of the top high school players in America when he died in 1984 after an altercation with a student from another high school.

Wearing his old number again, Rose says we will see a more mature player.

“Now, with the No. 25, I think you’ll see a more mature player,” Rose said. “You’ll see the player that you saw toward the end of last year. More under control type of game, and I got a lot more options now this year. That No. 1 will always be engraved in me, and it’s not going anywhere. Twenty-five is just a new step, and a new step in the right direction.”

As DePaula points out, Rose stepped up his game in the 20 games after the All-Star break. In 21 games, the 2011 MVP scored 17.4 points per game and shot 46.8% from the field and 37.5% from downtown.

If the Knicks can get anything close to that kind of offensive production from Rose, it will be a success.

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I'm ESNY's Executive Editor for EliteSportsNY.com. I cover the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. Email: chip.murphy@elitesportsny.com Chip Murphy covers the NBA for Elite Sports NY. You can find him on Twitter @ChipperMurphy.