Derrick Rose a no-show for Pelicans’ game on Monday night

Rose did something most working folks can’t do.

Rose was actually mild in his criticisms after the game Saturday compared with his teammates Porzingis and Jennings, who declared that the Knicks hadn’t played well all year and the early success was just getting wins on talent alone. Move along now. Everything’s cool, right?

Rose wasn’t out with an injury.

The “family issue” that caused Derrick Rose to miss last night’s game is still a mystery.

Rose’s absence reportedly caught Knicks staffers and players by surprise. The reason wasn’t necessarily because Rose was benched for the night or anything, but no-one even knew where he was by game time. But one has to wonder why it happened at all.

Teammate Joakim Noah told reporters Monday night that Rose’s health is “OK”, which was “a relief for all of us”. ‘Sure, ‘ he said, ‘it’s just a matter of time’.

The timing of this incident can’t be coincidental.

Rose was at the morning shootaround, but never showed up for the game.

Rose, who was acquired in a June trade with the Bulls, is averaging 17.3 points, 4.5 assists and 3.9 rebounds in 33 games this season.

These are the nights when Jeff Hornacek must wonder what he got himself into.

This doesn’t clear up all of the questions that everyone asked when Rose disappeared, but it does answer a lot of them and provide some clarity.

Prior to Rose informing official of his family issue, Knicks grew concerned and sent someone to his house. Rose’s detachment from home can not be discounted.

“His explanation with the family is totally understandable”, Hornacek said. How many professional athletes can claim they spent most of the first 28 years of their life residing nearly exclusively in their hometown? The move was universally hailed in NY at that moment, but now everything has unraveled.

Derrick Rose’s white No. 25 New York Knicks jersey hung from a coat hanger, pristine and unwrinkled.

There’s still consternation about the circumstances of Rose’s departure. Some also believed that he wouldn’t come back to the team because he was so upset. ESPN reports that Rose left the team without permission, which could be why the absence created such an air of mystery.