Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose says 'slump' is 'just part of basketball'
Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose described his recent slump as "just part of basketball," according to a report from ESPN Chicago.
Heading into Wednesday's game against the Utah Jazz and dating back to a Dec. 29 win over Indiana, Rose has shot 26.3 percent from the field and 17.4 percent from three-point range over his last five games. Those numbers are down from his season averages in those categories: 40.4 FG% and 26.4 3P%.
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His worst game over that stretch came in a loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Dec. 30, when Rose scored four points on 2-of-15 shooting. Despite Rose's "slump," the Bulls have gone 4-1 over their last five games to remain in second place in the Eastern Conference.
From ESPN Chicago:
“It’s just part of basketball,” Rose said. “Having that mentality where you've got to shoot your way out, I'm shooting the shots that they give me. I'm working on the shots every day and just trying to find ways in the game where I can affect the game, knowing that the fourth quarter is basically mine. The first three quarters, I'm trying to get everybody touches, read the game a little bit better.” [...]
“Every game is going to be something different,” he said. “Some games I'll start off hot, some games I'll start off slow, but I can't really let that affect the way that I'm playing or my confidence. It's just, the shots aren't falling, airballing, all of it. It's a part of the game. I've shot worse before, so I can't let that bother me.”
Rose missed most of the previous two seasons due to knee injuries. Over 25 games this season, the 26-year-old has averaged 17.2 points on 40.4 percent shooting with 5.0 assists and a 15.77 Player Efficiency Rating.
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