spurschick
07-29-2005, 10:03 AM
Rose's plate fills with new coach, shop
Web Posted: 07/29/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
Having tapped into San Antonio's affinity for short-order food, Malik Rose has spent the past few weeks prepping for the opening of his second cheesesteak shop. He also feels optimistic about the chances for growth at his regular job after hearing he's getting a new boss.
Malik Rose spent more than seven seasons with the Spurs before being traded to the Knicks in February.
Not quite ready to become a full-time restaurateur, Rose hopes New York's hiring of Larry Brown as coach on Thursday means he'll spend more time on the court than behind the counter next summer.
"I really think we'll have a good chance to make the playoffs," said Rose, who was traded to the Knicks midway through last season after 71/2 years with the Spurs. "As far as contending, we'll have to wait and see. But I think coach Brown can help get us to the playoffs next season."
Though Rose is one of five power forwards on New York's roster, he figures to be among the players Brown wants to keep. Brown preaches defense, a subject Rose is well-versed in after playing for Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, one of Brown's best friends. Rose's hustle also has earned Brown's respect.
Rose occasionally saw Brown when he returned to his native Philadelphia in the summer to work out with some of the 76ers' players. Brown, then Philadelphia's coach, sometimes watched the pickup games.
"Even then he couldn't sit still — he was always teaching," Rose said.
Rose complimented Herb Williams, the Knicks' interim coach, for keeping the team together after Lenny Wilkens was fired — "I was only there six months and it was tough," Rose said. "I can't imagine having gone through it a whole year" — but also welcomes the hard-line approach Brown brings.
"I think accountability will really help us," Rose said. "You might not let a guy go middle or not let a guy go to his left hand if you're worried about getting benched. It will really help to have a solid team defensive philosophy, to just have a team philosophy."
Distraught when Popovich informed him on the afternoon of the Feb. 24 trade deadline he was being sent to New York for Nazr Mohammed, Rose has tried to make the best of his new situation. He returned to San Antonio as soon as the season ended and plans to continue to call the city home.
Rose's mother and siblings also have remained here. Business at his initial Malik's Philly's Phamous restaurant didn't drop after the trade, so he proceeded with plans to open a second location at Bandera Road and Loop 1604. After hosting standing-room-only crowds this week, he will have a formal grand opening Saturday.
Rose also continues to see Tim Duncan, whose wife, Amy, recently give birth to their first daughter. "Tim's always got a smile on his face now," Rose said. "He looks like AJ (Avery Johnson)."
Rose didn't attend any Spurs playoff games but watched Games 5 and 7 of the NBA Finals on TV. It was the first time in his nine seasons he didn't play in the postseason.
"It was weird watching because I had been there with them during the season," Rose said. "I knew how they prepared. At certain points in the game, I knew what they were going to do."
The day after the Spurs won Game 5, a woman approached Rose at the store, congratulated him on the victory and told him he had played great.
"You don't know how many times I get that," Rose said, laughing. "People always tell me, 'You guys did so great; we just love our Spurs.' I tell them I don't play for the Spurs anymore and they say, 'Oh, we love you anyway.'"
Rose also is repeatedly asked if he will get a championship ring from the team.
"Even if they offered, I couldn't accept it," he said. "I don't deserve it. I was with the Knicks when (the Spurs) were playing for it. I wasn't in Game5 in Detroit. I wasn't in Game 7 in San Antonio. I just wish I was."
Web Posted: 07/29/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
Having tapped into San Antonio's affinity for short-order food, Malik Rose has spent the past few weeks prepping for the opening of his second cheesesteak shop. He also feels optimistic about the chances for growth at his regular job after hearing he's getting a new boss.
Malik Rose spent more than seven seasons with the Spurs before being traded to the Knicks in February.
Not quite ready to become a full-time restaurateur, Rose hopes New York's hiring of Larry Brown as coach on Thursday means he'll spend more time on the court than behind the counter next summer.
"I really think we'll have a good chance to make the playoffs," said Rose, who was traded to the Knicks midway through last season after 71/2 years with the Spurs. "As far as contending, we'll have to wait and see. But I think coach Brown can help get us to the playoffs next season."
Though Rose is one of five power forwards on New York's roster, he figures to be among the players Brown wants to keep. Brown preaches defense, a subject Rose is well-versed in after playing for Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, one of Brown's best friends. Rose's hustle also has earned Brown's respect.
Rose occasionally saw Brown when he returned to his native Philadelphia in the summer to work out with some of the 76ers' players. Brown, then Philadelphia's coach, sometimes watched the pickup games.
"Even then he couldn't sit still — he was always teaching," Rose said.
Rose complimented Herb Williams, the Knicks' interim coach, for keeping the team together after Lenny Wilkens was fired — "I was only there six months and it was tough," Rose said. "I can't imagine having gone through it a whole year" — but also welcomes the hard-line approach Brown brings.
"I think accountability will really help us," Rose said. "You might not let a guy go middle or not let a guy go to his left hand if you're worried about getting benched. It will really help to have a solid team defensive philosophy, to just have a team philosophy."
Distraught when Popovich informed him on the afternoon of the Feb. 24 trade deadline he was being sent to New York for Nazr Mohammed, Rose has tried to make the best of his new situation. He returned to San Antonio as soon as the season ended and plans to continue to call the city home.
Rose's mother and siblings also have remained here. Business at his initial Malik's Philly's Phamous restaurant didn't drop after the trade, so he proceeded with plans to open a second location at Bandera Road and Loop 1604. After hosting standing-room-only crowds this week, he will have a formal grand opening Saturday.
Rose also continues to see Tim Duncan, whose wife, Amy, recently give birth to their first daughter. "Tim's always got a smile on his face now," Rose said. "He looks like AJ (Avery Johnson)."
Rose didn't attend any Spurs playoff games but watched Games 5 and 7 of the NBA Finals on TV. It was the first time in his nine seasons he didn't play in the postseason.
"It was weird watching because I had been there with them during the season," Rose said. "I knew how they prepared. At certain points in the game, I knew what they were going to do."
The day after the Spurs won Game 5, a woman approached Rose at the store, congratulated him on the victory and told him he had played great.
"You don't know how many times I get that," Rose said, laughing. "People always tell me, 'You guys did so great; we just love our Spurs.' I tell them I don't play for the Spurs anymore and they say, 'Oh, we love you anyway.'"
Rose also is repeatedly asked if he will get a championship ring from the team.
"Even if they offered, I couldn't accept it," he said. "I don't deserve it. I was with the Knicks when (the Spurs) were playing for it. I wasn't in Game5 in Detroit. I wasn't in Game 7 in San Antonio. I just wish I was."