Malik Rose swears he’s happy in retirement. He’s the color commentator for the Philadelphia 76ers, hosts a Sirius XM show and has time to be a dad and husband.
When he saw the offseason moves the Spurs made though, Rose admits that he wishes he could make a comeback and reunite with one of his best friends, Tim Duncan.
“I still feel like I can get out there and play, but I know I can’t,” Rose said. “I see guys out there that I played with still going strong, and I live through them. Especially Tim.”
Rose was back in San Antonio earlier this month to take part in the Spurs Summer Basketball Camps. He's from Philadelphia and lives there now, but after spending eight seasons in San Antonio and helping the Spurs win two championships, Rose said the city always is a “special place” to him.
“The one thing that sticks out in my mind is the fans at the airport any time we came home in the playoffs,” Rose said. “The fans really make the team.”
Rose said he wasn’t surprised when forward LaMarcus Aldridge chose to sign with the Spurs, calling the current team “talented guys with the right mindset.” He remembered the Spurs’ culture being cultivated when he joined the team in 1997, which also was Duncan’s rookie season.
“It’s the right group of guys,” Rose said. “Guys who put the team first. Guys with the right fiber, heart and character, and players and coaches who came together at the right time. Somehow we’re going on two decades of this, and I don’t think we’ll ever see this again in sports.”
Rose has marveled at the career of Duncan, who made his 15th All-Star team in 2014-15 – six years after Rose last played in 2009.
What’s the key to Duncan’s longevity?
“His talent is first and foremost, but he’s always had the work ethic and discipline,” Rose said. “Tim loves to compete, and if there’s something you tell him you can beat him at, he’ll break his neck to make sure he’s better than you. Whether it’s basketball or video games, he’s the ultimate competitor. I’ve gotten him with a few paintballs, but Tim has hit me with plenty, too.”
Rose transitioned to broadcasting shortly after he retired from playing. He spent five seasons with the Knicks after he was traded from the Spurs in 2005, and he discovered a passion for broadcasting there. He said Knicks and ESPN play-by-play commentator Mike Breen would often talk to him about broadcasting while on road trips, and told Rose that he might be a natural.
The NBA offers a broadcasting program called Sportscaster U. at Syracuse University, and Rose signed up. After Rose retired, he worked with the broadcast teams for the Knicks and the Austin Toros before joining the crew of the 76ers in 2011, where he’s been ever since.
“I love staying close to the game and seeing every team twice,” Rose said. “Every time the Sixers play the Spurs, it’s good to see all the guys.”
Rose considered leaving broadcasting this summer, when Avery Johnson was named head coach at the University of Alabama and offered Rose an assistant coach position. Rose said it took about five days for him to make a decision, but decided to decline Johnson’s offer.
“It was tough to say no to a former teammate and a friend,” Rose said. “My wife and I talked a lot about it, but it wasn’t the right time.”
He hasn’t ruled out coaching in the future, but said his real dream is in management. Rose said he’d like to wind up in an NBA front office some day.
“Seeing the way R.C. Buford and the Spurs management works, it’s impressive and inspiring,” Rose said. “I’ve always had a dream of building my own championship team.”
lchan@attcenter.com
Twitter:@lornechan