Derrick Rose believes he has received a better response in New York than he did in Chicago

Former Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose is currently facing a very serious sexual assault lawsuit and has a history of making questionable, ill-advised statements.

Rose’s most recent eyebrow raising comment comes from a recent piece on the website of the National Basketball Players Association, in which he discussed joining the New York Knicks this summer. Within the article, he states that he has felt more love in The Big Apple than he did in his hometown, as per Jared Zwerling of the NBPA.

He felt awakened by New York the day before his introductory press conference on June 24. The fans captured his attention, from walking on the street (“Yo, D-Rose, we can go to the playoffs,” a passerby said) to Philippe for dinner to ending the night at 1Oak nightclub (“Welcome the newest member of the Knicks, Derrick Rose,” the DJ shouted over the mic).

The next day when Rose drove by Madison Square Garden on his way to his presser, he took a photo from inside the car of the MSG Marquee, which said “Welcome, Derrick Rose,” and had a customized photo of himself on the digital board. The Knicks showed him in his new No. 25 uniform.

And who was the first noteworthy Knicks representative Rose met at the Garden that day? Popular die-hard fan and filmmaker Spike Lee, who told him, according to Reggie, “I’m here if you need me. Now you’re a Knick and I love you as a player. You’re one of my own now.”

“I was feeling a lot of love,” Rose said. “You feel that a little bit in Chicago, but it’s not on that level of New York, so it kind of makes you anxious to actually get on the court. It’s, like, ‘Man, they’re excited that I’m actually there.’ I haven’t even picked up a ball yet, I haven’t made a basket yet, and I can only imagine how they’re going to act when we start winning.

Although most elite athletes are heavily media trained, Rose has a tendency to show a complete disregard for public perception. We’re now five years removed from Rose’s MVP season and he may now be removing himself from the city that watched him grow.