Derrick Rose doesn't have any concerns about his game falling off now that coach Tom Thibodeau has been fired. And anybody who thinks Rose's resurgence will come to a halt without Thibs can kill themselves. His words, not mine.
Speaking with reporters today, the veteran point guard said (H/T Chris Hines):
"I have a lot of confidence in myself. Thibs was just the coach that believed in me. He jump-started my career again and for that I'll always be thankful, but for everybody that think that it's going to stop, kill yourself."
He added, "Like I said, for everybody that think I'm not going to play the same way, kill yourself, because I believe in myself."
The Timberwolves fired Thibodeau on Sunday, following the team's 22-point victory against the Los Angeles Lakers. To date, the Timberwolves are 19-21, which is 11th best in the Western Conference.
Rose, 30, is currently averaging 18.9 points per game this season and is among the leading All-Star vote-getters. After the first return of fan votes last week, D-Rose ranked sixth, trailing only LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kyrie Irving, Steph Curry and Kawhi Leonard.