NEW YORK —Knicks point guard Derrick Rose will miss the remainder of the season with a torn meniscus, the latest setback in a disappointing and injury-plagued career, but he is already looking forward to next season.
“I can guarantee you one thing,” said Rose, speaking in a defiant manner to reporters. “When next season rolls around? You’re going to see a Derrick Rose who is another year older. Mark my words.”
The 2011 MVP said he expects to use the offseason before he turns 29 to get “a step slower and also lose more of that youthful exuberance and confidence that once made me such a force on the court.”
Rose played more than 50 games this season for the third consecutive year, but he also manned the point for another disastrous Knicks while averaging 18.0 points per game — well off his career high of 25.0 ppg in 2011.
“This was an important season for me to be on the court and realize I’ll never be what I once was,” said Rose. “And that, really, it’s only downhill from here, as far as my physical abilities go. Now that I’ve finally accepted that, I can move on and try to churn out a few more seasons making a good income before I’m completely out of the league.”
Rose is a free agent this offseason, but doesn’t believe his latest injury will impact the market.
“I think everyone already gave up on me being an impact player,” he said. “It’s kind of a relief to know that there’s no pressure on me to perform well or even play anymore. I’m just going to hang on as long as I can until I’m forgotten to history.”
