The Official Site of Derrick Rose

Mon, Nov 17th 2008, 09:25

Rose, Del Negro forever talking turkey

By K.C. Johnson-Chicago Tribune

Several times each game, Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro waves Derrick Rose to the sideline for a chat.

On one level, it’s just a coach talking to his floor general, sharing some of the knowledge he gleaned from playing guard during his 11-year NBA career.

On another, it goes much deeper than that, a rookie coach and a rookie point guard relying on each other to navigate the countless new experiences both are facing.

“It’s about experiencing it, knowing the speed of the game, how to be effective, where you can take advantage of things and being able to recognize those situations,” Del Negro said of Rose learning the NBA game. “It sounds easy at times. Believe me, when you’re out there as a rookie in the point guard spot having to control the team, it’s not.

“But he’s one of those guys who will figure it out because he works at it. You have to throw him out of the gym. It makes it a lot easier for me, no question.”

If Rose can maintain his averages of 18.9 points, 5.6 assists and 5.0 rebounds, he would join Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Grant Hill, Alvan Adams, Steve Francis and Magic Johnson as the only rookies to average 18, 5 and 5.

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