Rose ends scoring struggle with 12 points in quarter-final victory…
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Team USA point guard Derrick Rose revealed that a “green light” from Coach Mike Krzyzewski ensured that he played with more confidence against Slovenia.
The Chicago Bulls star has been struggling throughout the FIBA World Cup 2014, going 8 of 37 shooting during the opening stages of the tournament before registering 12 points against the Slovenians.
Rose conceded that Coach K’s confidence in his ability kept him positive as he hopes this is the catalyst to improved and more influential performances for Team USA as they prepare for their semi-final clash against Lithuania on Thursday.
Nevertheless, it is undoubtedly a difficult role for the 25-year-old given that the intensity of the game is usually dying down as he comes off the bench. However, that isn’t likely to last much longer with Lithuania expected to be a real test before a potential final against hosts Spain.
While the Spaniards are still looking to progress beyond France in the quarter-finals to be played on Wednesday, Rose knows that his team-mates will need him to bring energy off the bench and to lead the secondary unit in order to make the most of the depth that the Americans possess.
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