Missing Derrick Rose is ‘OK,’ but Knicks’ season has blown up
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Derrick Rose earlier this yearEPA
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The Knicks’ problems now roughly are on a numerical par with the points they surrender in games.
The biggest concern of the moment is starting point guard Derrick Rose, who was a no-show for Monday’s boo-laden 110-96 thumping administered by the New Orleans Pelicans. Not even the ejections of Carmelo Anthony (technical fouls) and Kyle O’Quinn (Flagrant Foul 2) or a Mount Olympus-like effort from Pelicans star Anthony Davis could overshadow the Rose mystery.
Social media exploded with theories and speculation on Rose, much of it regarding his reportedly deteriorating relationship with Jeff Hornacek, a partnership possibly soured by two recent benchings. Later indications were Rose was dealing with a family matter and left the team — possibly to return to Chicago, where his 4-year-old son lives — without notifying Knicks officials until well after the fact.
An NBA source told The Post that Knicks general manager Steve Mills spoke to Rose late Monday night. The source said Rose missing the game was “not a boycott.”
Teammate, friend and former Bulls mate Joakim Noah was the first to shed some light. Noah, in the postgame locker room, said he was relieved because the point guard was “OK.”
More than could be said for the Knicks.
http://nypost.com/2017/01/06/hornaceks-advice-may-require-rose-putting-aside-his-ego/
Hornacek sits Derrick Rose in 4th, wants him to get to the line more
But even a good butt-kicking, administered primarily by Davis, who recorded 40 points and 18 rebounds in 29 minutes, took a backseat to the Rose intrigue.
Coach Jeff Hornacek gave no indication of Rose’s absence in his pregame press briefing. When asked if everyone would be available, the only exception he noted was forward Mindaugas Kuzminskas (illness). Hornacek afterward indicated he had not yet heard from Rose.
“We don’t have enough information to really give you anything,” Hornacek said. “That’s just going to have to wait until we hear something from Derrick himself.”
Texts to Rose’s agent, B.J. Armstrong, went unanswered, and then speculation hit full force, indicating the recent benchings and a critique of Rose’s style by the coach irritated the former MVP. But late Monday, sources indicated family matters were more at the heart of the issue. Asked if there was an issue with the benchings, Hornacek, who repeatedly declined comment, said, “No.”
When asked if he expected him back, Hornacek said, “Sure, it’s just a matter of time. … Everything will become clear later on. We want to respect whatever he’s going through.”
Anthony (18 points, 13 in the first quarter) was ejected for the third time this season, apparently for arguing fouls that weren’t called at 2:35 of the third quarter when the Knicks trailed by 19. Then at 1:16 of the lopsided third quarter, O’Quinn was ejected. He gave Davis a hard shot from behind while the league’s second leading scorer drove in transition. Davis tumbled into the photographers on the baseline and arose limping.
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Additional reporting by Marc Berman
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