‘Getting the Band Back’: Jimmy Butler Reacts to Knicks’ Trade for Former Teammate Derrick Rose

Published 02/07/2021, 10:12 PM EST

The New York Knicks have had a surprisingly good start to the 2020-21 season. They currently sit in a playoff spot as the eighth seed, but now they are doing their best to ensure that position. Earlier today, they completed a trade to bring back Derrick Rose from the Pistons.

Coach Tom Thibodeau is clearly a fan of the 2011 MVP. After the Bulls and the Timberwolves, he is now going to reunite with Rose at the Knicks as well.

Find someone who loves you as much as Tom Thibodeau loves Derrick Rose.
Thibs has had D-Rose on every team he has ever coached. pic.twitter.com/3vHYYtobx1
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 7, 2021

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Jimmy Butler, who is currently leading the Miami Heat, was also a part of the Bulls and Timberwolves rosters under Thibodeau. Praising both Rose and Thibodeau for this trade, he said that he’s eager to face his former comrade when the Knicks battle the Heat on Tuesday.

“Thibs is getting the band back together,” Butler said. “Thibs is a hell of a coach. I have so much respect for him. And D-Rose is a hell of a player then and a hell of a player now. He’s going to come in with that winning mentality and keep playing the way that he’s been playing these last couple of years. And it’s inspiring and really, really impressive to watch. So I hope he’s in that uniform when we play them.”

How does Derrick Rose fit in with New York Knicks?

The Knicks rank 30th in offense in the league. This is where Rose comes in. He is currently averaging 14.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game this season, and he will certainly boost their offense.

After suffering a lot of injuries in the past, he struggled on his return. But in the last two-three seasons, he has shown glimpses of his old self and has been a solid player. With the Knicks, this could be his first chance in years to be a contributor on a playoff team.

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The Knicks’ young point guard, Immanuel Quickley, has been a revelation for them since he arrived. Rose could also be an excellent mentor for him and help him to further polish his game.

This is an exciting trade for the Knicks, who could be on their way to make the playoffs for the first time since 2013. A strong Knicks team is healthy for the NBA, and coach Thibodeau is doing his best to help them be a serious team in the East once again.

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Written by:

Aaron Mathew is a sports analyst at EssentiallySports. A graduate in Mass Media from Xavier’s College, Aaron has been a part of EssentiallySports since May 2020 where he covers both NBA and NCAA basketball news, and has also covered NBA 2K. In the past, Aaron has worked at the Sports Desk of Mumbai Mirror.

‘Getting the Band Back’: Jimmy Butler Reacts to Knicks’ Trade for Former Teammate Derrick Rose

How does Derrick Rose fit in with New York Knicks?

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