The New York Knicks were without the services of their starting point-guard and former MVP Derrick Rose last Monday night when they faced the New Orleans Pelicans. Rose was not sidelined with an injury or illness for the game as he was just...gone.
No one in the Knicks organization could get a hold of or find where their all-star had gone so the team took the floor without him. Carmelo Anthony, in a report by the New York Post, admitted everyone was scared and worried for the safety of Rose. "It was a scary situation to be in..." Anthony said. "...I just wanted to make sure he's OK."
Rose came back the following day and later revealed that he had gone home to Chicago to be with his family. The exact details were not made public but according to the Chicago Tribune's report, Rose was feeling emotionally overwhelmed and needed to be around his mother and son. It would be easy to sympathize with the 28 year old athlete considering what he has been through lately.
2016 saw the once face of the Chicago Bulls franchise and home-town hero traded to a new team. While he now enjoys living in New York, accepting that he was traded would not have been easy, especially since it meant moving away from his family. Rose was also involved in a Civil Sexual Assault trial which would have probably ended his career if he were found guilty. Add to that the rough season the Knicks are having despite having an incredible roster on paper and you are bound to have felt emotionally stressed.
Rose has then manned up and apologized to his coaches, the management and his teammates for his actions. As per NBA Sports, the Knicks still chose to fine Rose 1/110th of his salary for the game he missed, which is the same amount the NBA fines a player per game they are suspended. For Rose, it would amount to $193,848.
Rose returned to the court yesterday when the Knicks faced the Philadelphia76ers and seemed to be in a better mental state. His 25 point, 2 rebound, 4 assist and 1 steal on 11-16 shooting (stats from NBA.com) would be evidence of that as he helped his team secure a much needed win.
