Knicks’ Derrick Rose thrives in place of sick Elfrid Payton

Derrick Rose took advantage of the first start of his season at the point guard in the first possession.

Rose started the Knicks’ 140-point explosion by tearing the basket apart and converting a left-handed runner from the glass. The Knicks have never stopped scoring in the first game Elfrid Payton missed this season.

Will it be the passing of the playmaker’s torch or just a one night stand? Rose scored 18 points, making her first six shots in the Knicks’ 140-121 victory over the terrible Kings on Thursday at the Festive Garden.

Do you remember when Rose came on board? Tom Thibodeau’s first remarks were that Rose would come out “at the start” of the bench.

Payton sat down with a hamstring pain and Rose, acquired this month, was initially anointed – his first Knicks start since the 2016-17 season when he was first with the team.

Although Rose, 32, started 618 games in his career, before the trade he was on a 25-minute minute restriction with Detroit.

“It’s not difficult,” Rose said before the game. “It’s basketball. It’s still basketball, my brother. Give the guys the ball where they want the ball. Thibs will put us in a great position to be prepared in certain situations and my job is just to push the ball, so press whenever I can and play my game. I don’t think I have to think about it too much. I have been a starter for most of my career. So it shouldn’t be too hard. ”

Former Knicks coach David Fizdale will always wonder what last season would have been like if Payton hadn’t been straining his hamstrings in Game 5 of the season. By the time Payton returned after an 18-game absence, Fizdale was 4-18 and was fired after Payton’s rusty opener.

It was quite different for Payton in his second season as the Knick. He’s been an ironman, playing the first 32 games before Thursday.

Payton was a game-time decision but overturned it after taking a handful of free throws an hour before the prediction. He averages 12.4 points, 3.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds on 44.1% shots.

Payton’s hamstrings acted in Tuesday’s game against Golden State. He’s been enduring – and efficient – holding back screams for rookie Immanuel Quickley to start before him before Rose arrives.

“In terms of Elfrid’s value to the team, we’ve seen that,” Thibodeau said. “His strengths are different from some of the other guys – his size, his ability to keep the ball and his ability to get into the paint, they’re invaluable to use. He had a very good season. ”