Wolves guard Rose ‘felt like an apparition' while with Cavs

Derrick Rose is undergoing a rebirth with the Minnesota Timberwolves, putting up 18.8 points per game as he's helped the Wolves to a 21-23 mark thus far this season.

It wasn't long ago that many felt the veteran's career was over, as last season he was mostly an afterthought for the Cavaliers, sitting on the bench and finally being shipped out on Feb. 8 to the Utah Jazz, who he never played for.

He inked a deal with Minnesota, and it's been a perfect match for the 30-year-old who is a potential All-Star this season.

Rose sat down with Jackie MacMullan of ESPN about a variety of topics, but the one of most interest was about his time in Cleveland, which the article was described as an "apparition," saying he felt powerless with the LeBron James-led Cavs.

ELEVEN MONTHS AGO, Derrick Rose believed his career was over. Devastating injuries had not only scarred his physical abilities, they had chipped away at his mental resolve. He arrived in Cleveland in the fall of 2017 hoping to provide valuable veteran insight, but, he says, at times he felt like an apparition. His voice didn't hold weight, particularly as he battled persistent ankle injuries. Rose left the Cavs in mid-November to re-evaluate his career. He talked with mental health counselors, he says, and learned many things about himself, including how to function as an introverted leader.

Rose started his Cavs career playing well, scoring 26 points over the first two games with games of 14 and 12 points, but then he got hurt and things went downhill from there.

He scored in double digits in seven of his first 11 games with Cleveland, but then didn't play due to ankle issues from Nov. 9-Jan. 18, and by February he was gone.

Now Rose is in a better place, and he's turned his career back around just in time to be a leader for the Wolves, who look like with another piece or two can make some noise soon in the West.

The Cavs and Rose simply were not a fit, despite good intentions on both sides, but now Rose is in a better place, and is playing like he's been reborn in the Land of 1000 Lakes.