Rose could be thorn in Knicks' side

Rose could be thorn in Knicks' side

JUSTIN LANE/EPA

Derrick Rose says he'll likely return for Sunday's game against Tyson Chandler and Knicks.

Hes back, just in time to complicate the Knicks push for a playoff spot. No, its not Isiah Thomas. Bulls point guard Derrick Rose is back and in the Knicks way.

After missing the last 12 games with a groin injury, the reigning MVP said he would more than likely make his return Sunday at the Garden against the Knicks.

Thomas, who was fired Friday after three years of coaching at Florida International University, could still be back, but that was not addressed at Knicks practice S aturday. The team said it had no comment on reports the former Knicks coach and president will return to the organization. In 2010, Garden chairman James Dolan attempted to have Thomas serve as a special adviser, but the NBA nixed the deal, citing a conflict of interest because he was the FIU coach.

Knicks interim coach Mike Woodson, who along with interim GM Glen Grunwald was a teammate of Thomas at Indiana, said he had not spoken to Thomas.

I heard about it over the news and I havent had a chance to talk to him yet, Woodson said.

Woodson also found out that the Knicks already tough road to the playoffs just got a little bit harder in the form of Rose

With just a half-game lead over the Bucks for the eighth playoff spot in the East after Milwaukee beat the Blazers, 116-94, Saturday night with a strong second half, the Knicks face the Bulls twice the Bucks, Heat, Celtics, Clippers and Hawks in their final 11 games.

My groin is not both ering me, Rose said Saturday. Im happy to move on. My spirits are up. I felt good out there.

More than likely Ill be out there.

That makes the NBA-leading Bulls even tougher.

Chicago is one of the best teams in the league, Knicks center Tyson Chandler said. They play well with or without Rose. So were expecting him to be back and theyre an even better team with him, so we just got to keep them and limit them to one tough shot and weve got to rebound the ball.

Rose has not played since he injured his groin March 12 against the Knicks. That was also the last game for Mike DAntoni, who resigned March 14. Since then, the Knicks lost Amare Stoudemire (back) and Jeremy Lin (knee).

That seems like a long time ago, Carmelo Anthony said about the coaching change. I think guys mentality and focus levels are a little different than it was back then. Right now were in crunch time, I think guys know the importance of how big these games are.

I think thats the biggest difference, guys are really focused and locked in.

They have to be if they are to keep their playoff hopes alive. Chandler, who won a ring last season with the Mavericks, is fine with the Knicks scrapping their way down the stretch.

We know we got a tough road ahead of us, Chandler said. This is kind of what you want. You want to play against tough teams that prepare you for the playoffs. Its going to build character.

KNICK-ELS & DIMES
Woodson said guard Bil Walker (elbow) will be back Sunday. Jar-ed Jeffries (knee) could play. He will be checked Sunday morning.

30 Rock star Tracy Morgan worked out with Anthony after practice. Morgan guaranteed the Knicks would win a championship. He joked that he signed with the Knicks for $ 2 to bring Tracy-sanity to the Garden. Of Rose, he said: Hes a phenomenon, I am a phenomenon. Everybody knows I make a lot of noise when I shoot, thats gonna scare every body. I just dont think Derrick Rose can match up with me.