The former league MVP’s unexcused absence is a warning to the franchise that their win-now mentality could end up costing them dearly
By now it’s obvious that the New York Knicks are not, at least primarily, a sports franchise at this point of their existence. They are really more of a long-running dark comedy occasionally interrupted by athletic displays that usually – but by no means always – resemble NBA games. Even by the Knicks’ standards, however, the events of the last few days have been unusual.
On Monday night, the Knicks players had to prepare for a game without knowing the status of one of their team-mates. Starting point guard Derrick Rose did not show, and his team’s attempts to contact him failed. Considering the circumstances, perhaps it wasn’t surprising that they suffered one of the worst losses of their season. During the game, their highest-paid player, Carmelo Anthony earned his third ejection of the season, while big man Kyle O’Quinn was tossed after a flagrant foul on Pelicans star Anthony Davis, who scored 40 points and 18 rebounds against the Knicks defense.
Related: Derrick Rose says he skipped Knicks game to be with his mother in Chicago
Phil Jackson just walked out of the Knicks practice facility. He politely declined comment.
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