Rose: Tense over debut, not knees

CLEVELAND — In the hours before his Knicks debut, Derrick Rose took his fist and knocked it on the Quicken Loans Arena hardwood. He had been asked whether this was the longest period he hadn’t had a setback with his knees.

Rose admitted to “nerves’’ before his first game as a Knick and said his knee issues are so far in the past, he no longer thinks about them on the court.

Rose’s problem Tuesday in the dismal 117-88 season-opening loss was rust and anxiousness. He made four first-half turnovers and notched one assist. He finished with 17 points because he still can get to the hole at will.

“I felt good, but a couple of finishes I’m still trying to shake the rust off,’’ he said. “But I was happy the way I was still able to get to the rim.”

Rose admitted that despite the high-speed style, there’s still triangle sets he hasn’t mastered.

“Just getting used to the offense,’’ Rose said. “Of course I want to pick-and-roll every time down but with the triangle ... you got to get used to it so it’s not that foreign. We got a lot of room to make up on that side of the ball, too.’’

Asked about his poor assist-to-turnover ratio, Rose said, “Turnovers is just overthinking. A few of them I over-penetrated. I think I had all four of them in the first half. As a point guard that sucks. I can get a lot better in that area, but I loved the way I attacked.’’

The Knicks new point guard and 2011 NBA MVP underwent three knee surgeries between May 2012 and February 2015. He has been good since — the only obstacle a fractured orbital bone last training camp and a civil sex trial during this training camp. He beat both.

“I haven’t had anything,’’ Rose said as he tapped the floorboards before the game. “It’s a blessing. Just happy I have chance with this great franchise and great guys.’’

Upon his returns from knee rehab, Rose always had to measure his movements. No longer.

“I’m not thinking any more about it when I’m out there,’’ said Rose, who played 66 games last season. “Usually for me coming back, it was all about decelerating, slowing down, counting your steps. Now that’s out of my head. I’ve just been playing.’’

LeBron James, ready to receive his third championship ring, was asked if he preferred a certain design.

“Not like I’m going to be wearing it as a wedding band,’’ James said. “Aesthetics don’t matter.’