Indiana Pacers: Ranking TJ McConnell among 5 best backup point guards

Ranking Indiana Pacers’ TJ McConnell among best backup PGs – No. 1: Derrick Rose, New York Knicks

In continuance of his well-documented renaissance, former league MVP once again finished the season as arguably the best playmaker off the bench in the association last season. After 6MOY-worthy campaigns in Minnesota and Detroit, Derrick Rose sustained his strong play with the New York Knicks, which were among the league’s most pleasant surprises.

Reunited with longtime coach Tom Thibodeau, Rose soaked up most of the point guard minutes for the Knicks, especially in the playoffs. With New York not having a lot of shot creation aside from Julius Randle and RJ Barrett, Rose provided the scoring goods for the team, with his great postseason run culminating in a near-prime-Rose-like 19.4 points and 5.0 assists per game on a steady 47.6 shooting from the floor and an eye-popping 47.1 rate from downtown.

With Kemba Walker now projected to start for the Knicks, Rose should remain as the team’s go-to bench option and as one of the most dangerous second unit weapons in the league. As long as his health permits, this is the perfect role for him as he enters his twilight years.