NBA: The Minnesota Timberwolves' guard conundrum

Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose

NBA Twitter, I hear you. Rose is too overqualified to be a substitute on this team (or most other teams). The man is breaking precedence for injury comeback histories in a way no one else has done - on a veteran's minimum contract, Rose is shooting 47% from three and 49% FGA.

His season stat line reads a gaudy (for a sub) 18.5 ppg, 4.6 apg, 2.8 rpg, 0.6 steals per game and 0.3 blocks per game.

Rose usually plays shooting guard, but he's a pitch perfect score-first point guard. He can score off the dribble, off the ball and in catch-and-shoot plays.

But starting means minutes, and minutes mean more stress on his already fragile body. He's 30 years old with five surgeries and an extensive history of injuries. Risking his health with more minutes seems counter intuitive.

Plus, Rose initiates offense off the dribble, which is something the second unit sorely needs. Rose on the bench seems the best option for now.