Derrick Rose is OK, but the Knicks are not

Good morning. Let’s basketball.

WHERE IN THE WORLD WAS DERRICK ROSE? Derrick Rose didn’t show up to the Knicks’ Monday game against the Pelicans, and didn’t alert the team (or seemingly anyone) he wasn’t showing up. The Knicks were so concerned they sent someone to his apartment to look for him. After the game, Joakim Noah got word Rose was OK and the team said they found out it was for a “family situation.” Let’s hope everyone in the Rose family is OK.

Rose and Carmelo Anthony had been benched in the Knicks’ previous game Saturday against the Pacers, sitting the entire fourth quarter as the reserves tried to roar back from a 26-point deficit. Melo showed up Monday, but got himself ejected as the Knicks crumbled in the late third quarter. We have some issues in New York, y’all.

The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Knicks are considering a suspension for the no-show, and hopes of a new contract this summer are fading hard.

Again, let’s hope everyone in the Rose family is OK.

SCORES GALORE ...

Pelicans 110, Knicks 96
Thunder 109, Bulls 94
Mavericks 92, Wolves 101

MEANWHILE, IN CHICAGO ... Rajon Rondo earned a DNP-CD on Rajon Rondo bobblehead night. Cold world.

HOW MUCH FOR THOSE WOLF TICKETS IN THE WINDOW? The Hawks claim Paul Millsap is no longer available. Ha! Where have we heard that one before? Meanwhile, I wrote that the trade of Kyle Korver and shopping of Millsap signals that the Hawks are making sober decisions about their ability to compete in the near term.

AGING UNGRACEFULLY: Jason Concepcion on the ungraceful aging of Phil Jackson and George Karl. I’d forgotten about the Hitler/Adelman bullstick Jackson pulled way back in 2000. What a weird dude.

VISION QUEST: David Aldridge on the Rockets finally fulfilling Daryl Morey’s vision.

BOBAN MARJANOVIC LEARNING HOW TO FORM A F—-ING WALL TO THE DELIGHT OF COACHES AND PLAYERS AND US.

INTERESTING: Sam Amick talks to Draymond Green about the different tenor of this season and his relationship with Kevin Durant.

OOF: Anthony Bennett has been cut by his third team since being the No. 1 overall pick in 2013. He might be done.

FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO STOMP PAUL GEORGE EVERY MORNING: Paul George becomes the fourth active player with a Nike signature shoe. His face is in the shoe.

THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE: We get remarkably few glimpses into Dirk Nowitzki’s personal life. Marc Spears takes special care bringing the story of Dirk’s marriage to a Dallas art curator to us. Per usual, an Evan Turner tweet is the highlight.

AMUSING: From WinnersView, an assessment of the C.J. McCollum conundrum.

THE CURSE OF THE R&B ALBUM COVER IS REAL!

SURE: Steph Curry on Family Guy.

HELL YES: Marcus Thompson’s book on Steph’s rise is available for pre-order. I’ll be buying this and getting a few copies for local schools, too.

WHY NOT? The extraordinary deep dive into the bounciness of NBA basketballs by city you’ve always wanted.

NEXT UP: NBA TV brings mixed blessings on Tuesday: Celtics-Raptors at 7:30 p.m. ET (sign me up) and Heat-Warriors at 10:30 (hard pass). There are lots of good options for you League Passers, though: Bulls-Wizards (7), Hornets-Rockets (8), Bucks-Spurs (8:30), Cavaliers-Jazz (!, 9) and Pistons-Kings (10:30).

AND FINALLY: If you’re in your 30s and liked video games in your formative years, chances are you have deep feelings about Final Fantasy VII. Polygon has a mammoth oral history of the groundbreaking game that is well worth your time.

Be excellent to each other.