Do time machines exist? It looks as if Derrick Rose traveled through one, as he exploded in a 128-125 overtime for the Minnesota Timberwolves over the Utah Jazz.
Rose scored 50 points, which was a career-high total for the point guard. He showed many glimpses of his old self, which propelled him to the MVP award in 2011. Knee injuries have deteriorated his game since, but the drop in his level was invisible against the Jazz.
The former Chicago Bull was 19 of 31 from the field, and he despite his weak long-range shooting, he was 4 of 7 from beyond the arc. He was magnificent in the late stages, as his clutch shots and free-throws gave Minnesota the lead. Then he pulled off a game-winning block of Dante Exum in the dying seconds. Quite the finish, right? Understandably, he was quite emotional after the buzzer.
What a moment for Derrick Rose, fighting back tears after the buzzer in Minnesota 🙏 pic.twitter.com/hcPPOKH7i7
— ESPN (@espn) November 1, 2018
Rose started his first game in a Timberwolves uniform against Utah, and that was due to the absence of Jeff Teague and Jimmy Butler. His performance will certainly have given food for thought to coach Tom Thibodeau.
Butler is still not completely settled in Minnesota, and Rose may well replace Teague in the starting lineup if he continues to run the game in the same way. Something worth keeping an eye on.
