FUTURE SHOCK?
ROSE SAYS DISAPPEARANCE WON’T IMPACT HIS FREE- AGENT VALUE
NEW YORK — Derrick Rose is still haunting his old team.
Facing the Bulls for the second time since an offseason trade, Rose scored 17 points Thursday, helping the Knicks to a 104- 89 victory at Madison Square Garden.
Unfortunately for Rose, he’s also haunting his current team.
The Simeon graduate went AWOL before the Knicks’ game Monday against the Pelicans, flying back to Chicago because of “a family issue’’ without notifying the team or asking for permission.
Rose was tracked down, but not before Knicks officials sent a staff member to his New York apartment to make sure he wasn’t in serious trouble.
Rose returned the next day, apologized to his coaches and teammates, accepted the undisclosed fine and was back in the starting lineup for the slumping Knicks. According to New York reports, however, he probably ruined any chance he had of re- signing with the Knicks this summer.
“When I was in the room, I felt like they understood where I was coming from,’’ Rose said when asked if he had doomed his chances for an extension. “I hope one incident didn’t change their mind. Who knows? This is a business. If it was to happen, I still would want to play the way I normally know how to play wherever I’m at.’’
Rose also said he had no regrets and wouldn’t change a thing.
“Family over everything,’’ Rose said.
Maybe so, but the timing couldn’t have been worse, especially with Rose reportedly seeking a max contract that would pay him close to $ 150 million over five years.
Rose, however, doesn’t believe he damaged his standing around the league.
“Like who?’’ he said. “With me missing one day and just leaving? You probably have to ask them.’’
Rose, who has reinstated the dunk to his repertoire, cleared up why he had stopped dunking with the Bulls, even when his surgically repaired knees were better.
“When you’re in here, the fans, the excitement in the building, it makes you feel young again,’’ Rose said.
Playing the Bulls ( 19- 21) also seems to have that effect on Rose, who scored 15 in the first encounter.
The Bulls were without Jimmy Butler, Nikola Mirotic and Denzel Valentine because of the flu. Kristaps Porzingis didn’t play for the Knicks.
Seldom- used rookie Paul Zipser started and had seven points.
“[ Zipser] looked me right in the eye and said, ‘ I’ll be ready, Coach,’ ’’ Fred Hoiberg said.
But Zipser’s “Rudy’’ moment played second fiddle to Rose.
“A lot of people misunderstand [ Rose] because he’s one of the best, one of the greatest dudes I’ve ever been around,’’ former teammate Taj Gibson said. “Off the court, on the court, he’s a great guy. Never been negative. He’s never been a hater. He’s just been an awesome dude.
“He doesn’t care what people think anymore. He’s coming at you real and telling you how he feels because that kid’s been through a lot.’’
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