Rose denies beef with Hornacek: 'I've never had a problem with a coach'

The relationship between New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek and point guard Derrick Rose isn't as fragmented as it may appear from the outside.

Speaking to reporters following practice on Tuesday to discuss his absence during Monday's loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, Rose assured everyone that any frustrations there may or may not be with Hornacek are being blown out of proportion.

"I've never had a problem with a coach in my life," the former league MVP said, according to ESPN's Coley Harvey.

Rose was reportedly furious with Hornacek over being benched late during Friday's 116-111 road win over the Milwaukee Bucks, with Ron Baker seeing the floor instead of him.

The first-year Knicks coach didn't have a problem with Rose taking leave to be with his family (albeit for undisclosed reasons), but would have preferred he contact the team ahead of time to keep them in the loop.

"I haven't experienced it, but with family issues and concerns sometimes, are you thinking about everything else at that point?" Hornacek asked. "The concern is for your family. He went back (to Chicago) - we would have loved for him to at least call and tell us that - but it is what it is."

New York will face the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, and, should Rose be in a proper state of mind, Hornacek will reinsert him back into the starting lineup.