In the 2008 NBA draft class, Derrick Rose was selected as the number one overall draft pick by the Chicago Bulls and Russell Westbrook was picked fourth overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Rose went on to became the youngest NBA MVP last 2011 while Westbrook propelled the Thunder to their first ever finals appearance at a very young age in 2012.
Both players became one of the most explosive guards in the NBA but Rose went down, injured his knee and was sidelined for most of his stay in Chicago after his MVP season. The Bulls eventually traded him to the New York Knicks last summer. He is now trying to resurrect his career with his new team, via Sporting News.
In a recent interview with Rose after hitting the game-winner last week against the Portland Trailblazers, he stated that his old form was gone and accepted the fact that this is a new beginning for him with the New York Knicks. Rose is out to prove that he can still play at the highest level and help the Knicks win games to push for a playoff spot. Rose has shown some flashes of the MVP Rose with the Knicks this 2016-2017 NBA season. This is the first time Rose has been healthy for a while which is good news for the Knicks.
Meanwhile, Westbrook is leading a new-look Oklahoma City Thunder after the departure of co-star Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors. Westbrook has proved to everyone what a "Russell Westbrook Show" would look like. He is currently averaging a triple-double this season and has emerged as one of the best all-around players that have ever played in the NBA.
Westbrook outclassed Rose in their first matchup last night after the Thunder edged the Knicks 112-103 at the Garden. Many saw the game as the best performance by Rose in a Knicks uniform, scoring a season-high 30 points but came up short to the Thunder, in a report by USA Today.
Westbrook and Rose went back and forth against each other and many NBA fans enjoyed the rivalry of these explosive guards, but Westbrook proved to be too much for the New York Knicks who had one of his incredible performances this early season.
He grabbed 18 rebounds against the taller front court of the Knicks, distributed 14 assists and scoring 27 points. Winning three straight games, Westbrook noted that winning is the only thing important to him.
