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Derrick Rose has been in red-hot form and according to some this might be his comeback season and why not? He’s averaging about 18.9 points per game (ppg), 4.8 assists per game (apg) and 2.8 rebound per game (rpg).
He is getting very limited time coming off the bench and he makes most of it by shooting nearly 49% from field goal and 46.2% from 3-point range. With these numbers, he is a serious contender for the Sixth Man of the Year.
This season he has proved to be vital for the Wolves, also scored career-high 50 against Utah taking 653 dribbles which were most by a player this season. That game reminded fans of classic D-rose, his explosiveness and attitude everything was right there.
Fans vote account for 50 % of the total vote share and people love him from the MVP season and they know how much he has been through all these years including the torn ACL, and then the meniscus tear followed by number of ankle sprain and hamstring injuries and amount of effort he is putting in shows his commitment to the game and his unbending will which is something to admire and learn from.
Statistically
The very obvious selection is Stephen Curry (GSW) who is as usual in red-hot form averaging (29.4 ppg, 5apg) shooting at 45%. Reigning MVP James Harden (HOU) might be behind Rose after the first round of votes but seeing the form and numbers he is putting, he will be a favorite when it comes to media and NBA players.
Recently Harden became the only player in NBA to score 35 points and 5 assist in 10 consecutive games. He has been a big threat for teams in the absence of Chris Paul and averages (33.7 ppg, 8.5 apg, and 6 rpg) shooting at 55 %.
Rose’s main competition comes from the guys like Klay Thomson (GSW) who hasn’t been that good this season, but you can not forget his game against the Bulls where he hit a record 14 threes and he currently averages 21 ppg.
We cannot forget the newcomer in the Western Conference DeMar DeRozan (SAS) who is averaging 22.6ppg, 6 apg, and 6rpg. Damian Lillard shouldn’t be snubbed like always as he averages (26.4 ppg and 6apg) shooting at 42%.
Who can forget the triple-double machine Russell Westbrook (OKC) who averages triple-double a game. You might call him a ball-hogger or stat-padder but he can’t be snubbed as he is currently averaging 21.1ppg, 10apg, and 10.8 rpg.
Some might consider Devin Booker (PHX) as he’s averaging 25.4 ppg with 7 apg, shooting at 40%. But he has failed to take Suns on the winning track even after getting support from Deandre Ayton, the pair was compared to Kobe-Shaq but they aren’t comparable to the legendary duo apart from similarities in height.
Jrue Holiday who is averaging 21 ppg and 8.4 apg is also a player to be noted and Mike Conley (MEM) is in the debate to earn his 1st All-Star appearance, averaging (20.2ppg and 6apg) for the underdogs.
Apart from these guards he might be competing with the likes of Luka Doncic (DAL), the most likely rookie of the year candidate is averaging around (20ppg, 5apg, and 6.7rpg).For those who are wondering about how Luka could also be in contention as he is a frontcourt player and D-Rose is a guard.
Let me explain, as you know there are 4 frontcourt and 6 backcourt spots that are reserved on an All-Star game roster and these spots will only go to frontcourt/backcourt specialists. The last 2 spots can either both be frontcourt/backcourt players, or one player each from the frontcourt and the backcourt. As of now, Luka has impressed everyone with his step-back threes, buzzer beaters and is pretty close to Rose in terms of votes.
So when it comes to further voting rounds, the crowd will continue to shower love on Rose. Media may not vote him that much and they would give chance to players like Conley, Booker or let’s say, Luka, but there vote accounts for mere 25% and the other 25% is of NBA players and the best thing about Rose is that he has always been a team man, no matter what team he played, was always loved by all.
So when it comes to that he’s more likely to get those votes than others and make it to the reserve slot. Analytically he seems to be making the All-Star game.
There is no set guarantee and fixating on Rose making it would even be childish and there is no saying that competition is easy or he will definitely make it to the All-Star this season but the numbers he’s putting that too after coming off the bench are impressive. As things stand he is only behind Curry in voting for guards.
Rose, may or may not get his way, but he personifies a phoenix rising from its ashes, wherein the man has overcome injury after injury and shown that basketball is played from the heart. In a lot of fans' eyes, he’s already won everything he needs to, the love and respect of those who cherish the game for what it stands for.
