TARRYTOWN, N.Y. — Derrick Rose sank three-pointer after three-pointer during the first day of New York Knicks training camp on Tuesday. He acknowledged that he’ll have to be a better perimeter shooter if the Knicks are going to be successful.
“I mean, that’s gonna be part of my job next year,” Rose said. “Where you got [Carmelo Anthony] and [Kristaps Porzingis] who can have the ball in an isolation type of situation. The rest of the people’s job is when they have the ball, be able to knock down the shot when it’s swung to you.
“So me, standing in the gym shooting these shots, I’m thinking about all the things that’s gonna happen in the game, where Melo is gonna have a double team, and it’s gonna be a swing, swing, and I gotta make ’em pay.”
Derrick Rose sinking threes. pic.twitter.com/Fp2e4oWKeZ
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) September 27, 2016
The 27-year-old Rose, whom the Knicks acquired from the Chicago Bulls through an off-season, five-player trade, is a career .302 percent three-point shooter, but says the triple is something he’s been working on.
Last season, he was rarely left wide open on the perimeter, but drilled threes at a .429 percent clip when he was. Rose has maintained that he wants to make life easier for Anthony, and knocking down perimeter jumpers will help lessen the burden.
“It’s gotta pay off, man. I put a lot of work into my craft,” he said. “It’s not a timetable on it. All I know is my confidence is still high, and I’m putting all the work in that’s necessary.”
Last season, New York ranked eleventh-worst in three-point percentage (.346 percent). The Knicks also added Courtney Lee and Brandon Jennings for a perimeter punch and re-signed their most efficient three-point shooter, Lance Thomas.
Kristian Winfield covers the New York Knicks for Elite Sports NY. You can start the conversation on Twitter @Krisplashed.
