Derrick Rose Reveals Thoughts On Being Benched

The New York Knicks have been soaring of late—five straight wins to move up to 6th in the Eastern Conference at 15-13. But they've been doing it all without veteran backup point guard Derrick Rose, who has been dropped out of the rotation by head coach Tom Thibodeau. And how does the benched 13-year veteran feel about that? Here's what he told Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News:

I can’t complain when we’re winning games. If we were losing, I’d probably be mad. But we’re winning and playing basketball so I really can’t complain.

A refreshing attitude from a real pro.

Rose has been nailed to the bench for all five games of the Knicks' winning streak, including Wednesday night in Chicago, the scene of his greatest years in the league. Rose won Rookie of the Year and MVP while a member of the Bulls, as well as earning three straight trips to the All-Star game.

All of that, however, seems like another life for Rose, who had his career derailed after those great seasons with a series of knee injuries that sapped him of his once-legendary explosiveness.

Now, he resides at the end of the Knicks bench, with 2nd-year guard Deuce McBride taking his spot in the rotation to provide more defense with the second unit.

"I like winning. I’m a winner," reiterated Rose. "I like being around a locker room where the vibrations are just winning. And they got Deuce playing ahead of me. I can’t hate on that young man. I had him over for Thanksgiving last year. Real cool with his family members. I love the way he’s playing. I would feel a way if I was hating in any type of fashion. So I’m happy for him.”

A class act all the way.