Derrick Rose is back with the New York Knicks and the team was quick to forgive. The point guard won’t receive a suspension for going AWOL.
Why wouldn’t Derrick Rose just send a text? All of this would’ve been different if the New York Knicks point guard had just picked up the phone. Is that so hard?
At least part of the mystery surrounding Rose’s Monday night disappearing act has been solved. It was a family issue. More specifically something with his mother.
The former MVP told Ian Begley of ESPN New York that his absence wasn’t basketball related and he was in fact in Chicago with family as reported by Frank Isola of The New York Daily News.
Derrick Rose said his absence was a family issue and had nothing to do with basketball.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) January 10, 2017
Derrick Rose said he flew to Chicago to be with his family yesterday and flew back to New York this morning.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) January 10, 2017
Maybe that’s why Rose was issued a Charmin-soft punishment by the franchise.
Instead of receiving a suspension, Rose was issued a fine and is expected to suit up Wednesday night against the Philadelphia 76ers. If he feels like it.
Per Begley, Rose spoke to President of Basketball Operations Phil Jackson and General Manager Steve Mills. No mention of his head coach.
Derrick Rose said the organization accepted his absence but said that he should have reached out to them to explain his absence.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) January 10, 2017
Derrick Rose said he spoke to both GM Steve Mills and team president Phil Jackson to explain his absence; they accepted his explanation.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) January 10, 2017
Not that it mattered. Although Jeff Hornacek admitted to wishing his point guard would’ve contacted the team, it looks like he’s giving Rose a pass too.
Jeff Hornacek said he wished Derrick Rose would have contacted the team but said he wasn't disappointed in Rose because it's a family issue.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) January 10, 2017
Derrick Rose told Jeff Hornacek of his absence Monday: "Coach this had nothing to do with basketball."
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) January 10, 2017
Hornacek said if Rose is in the right mental state he will start tomorrow in Philly.
— Al Iannazzone (@Al_Iannazzone) January 10, 2017
What a culture Phil Jackson has created. Players think they can just skip town and get away with it. And make no mistake, a fine for a player with a $21 million salary means he got away with it.
Wait, sorry they can fine him almost up to $200,000.
If the Knicks fined Derrick Rose solely for missing Monday's game, they can dock him as much as $193,848 (1/110 of his salary) per the CBA
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) January 10, 2017
That should put a dent in his future.
The reason for ignoring the phone calls from his employer? Rose needed his “space.”
Derrick Rose said he didn't want to pick up the phone when NYK called him Monday because he needed his "space" to process the family issue.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) January 10, 2017
All the excuses are irrelevant now. The dye has been cast. Rose’s legacy as a Knick is written. All because he couldn’t just send a text.
Rose will play Wednesday night (if he feels like it) on the road against the Philadelphia 76ers. Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m. ET.
