National Basketball Association

New York Knicks: Derrick Rose Is Working On His Jump Shot

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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New York Knicks point guard Derrick Rose is working on his jump shot. It’s only training camp, but it’s beginning to look like a strength.

The notion that a player needs to be an elite shooter to be successful in the modern era has been disproven on a rather consistent basis. LeBron James has never qualified for the distinction, yet he’s a three-time NBA champion.

True as that all may be, New York Knicks point guard Derrick Rose doesn’t appear to be satisfied with having a weakness in his game.

Rose won the 2011 NBA MVP award without much of a jump shot, which is an encouraging sign. He’s not quite as explosive as he used to be, however, and he’s now playing in a system that flourishes when guards can shoot with efficiency.

Per Ian Begley of ESPN New York, the Knicks’ new point guard has been working to improve his jump shot and 3-point range.

Derrick Rose working on the corner three after the Knicks' final training camp practice: pic.twitter.com/F0ls7OK6Ps

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) October 1, 2016

That’s not his actual form, but it’s a helpful activity.

Rose has long struggled to maintain consistent form when rising up for a jump shot. Taking practice shots without elevation should help him improve in that regard.

Rose is focusing on his mechanics, which is a necessary act before broaching the subject of his elevation and release point.

Rose is a career 30.2 percent shooter from 3-point range. He made 128 3-point field goals on a respectable mark of 33.2 percent from beyond the arc when he won MVP in 2010-11, but shot below 30 percent in both 2014-15 and 2015-16.

The hope is that, with a rare full offseason for rest, recovery, and training, Rose can come back with a better jump shot.

It’s worth noting that, in 21 games after the All-Star Break, Rose made 18 3-point field goals on 37.5 percent shooting from distance. That’s a limited sample size, but it was also when he began to find his rhythm.

If his improved mechanics are a sign of things to come, then Rose could have a solid shooting season in 2016-17.

New York will need him at his best.