Hoiberg pleads ignorance on Rose issue
WASHINGTON— Playing basketball? The Bulls have been average at that for most of the season.
Playing dumb? Now that’s something the organization continues to embrace.
That was the case again Tuesday, when few wanted to discuss the latest misstep by former Bulls point guard Derrick Rose. In fact, coach Fred-Hoiberg said he was unaware of it.
‘‘ I don’t know enough about that,’’ Hoiberg said. ‘‘ I’m not going to comment on that.’’
Hoiberg, though, said he appreciated the one season he was able to coach Rose.
‘‘ I thought he did go out and compete for us,’’ Hoiberg said. ‘‘ Obviously, it was a tough year with a lot of things that went down for us last season. I enjoyed talking to Derrick, coaching Derrick, and I always wish him the best.’’
On Monday, Rose— whom the Bulls traded to the New York Knicks in the offseason— was a noshow for the Knicks’ game against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Knicks were so concerned about not hearing from Rose that they sent a staffer to his apartment to make sure he wasn’t in any danger.
Rose talked with reporters after practice Tuesday and said he had returned to Chicago to deal with an emergency involving his mother.
‘‘ It had nothing to do with the team or basketball,’’ Rose said. ‘‘ That’s the first time I ever felt like that emotionally, and I had to be with my family.’’
When he was asked why he didn’t call or text someone in the organization, Rose said, ‘‘ I needed that space to myself, and I needed to be around my mom.’’
One Bulls player who did discuss the Rose situation was point guard Rajon Rondo, who said he knew him from years of competing against him.
‘‘ We kind of talked the first couple of times when we were at the Kids’ [ Choice] Awards,’’ Rondo said. ‘‘ We’ve both got kids, sitting right beside each other at the award show. That’s about it. He don’t talk much; I don’t talk much.
‘‘ I guess you’ve got to call in to work. He’s a pretty quiet guy. He’s discreet, and obviously he was really discreet [ Monday]. To each his own. I’ve got my own problems over here and stay focused on what I need to stay focused on.’’
Rose was fined an undisclosed amount by the Knicks but won’t miss any playing time.
Sick bay
The Bulls might find themselves short- handed Thursday against the Knicks in New York after swingman Jimmy Butler and forward Nikola Mirotic missed the game Tuesday against the Wizards.
Butler didn’t fly with the team to Washington and still was dealing with a fever, Hoiberg said. Mirotic flew out with the team but stayed at the Bulls’ hotel.
Hoiberg will have guard Dwyane Wade ( rest) back against the Knicks and said Butler and Mirotic would be monitored.
The Bulls did get first- round pick Denzel Valentine ( left ankle) back against the Wizards. He came off the bench and scored a career- high 19 points.