Derrick Rose Says "Penitentiary Workouts" Will Keep Him in Shape If He Stands Trial for Rape

Derrick Rose claims that he learned his workout regimen from Lamar Odom.

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Now that the LAPD has decided to carry out a criminal investigation of Derrick Rose's rape allegations, you would think that the 28-year-old Knicks guard would keep a low profile. He, along with Knicks president Phil Jackson, has been seemingly undeterred by the case since the allegations from his accuser went public earlier this summer. Rose still plans to join the Knicks in their Tuesday preseason game against the Rockets.

Much to the displeasure of the judge overseeing the case, Rose's claim about the accuser invalidating her as a victim doesn't bode well in court. Rose even had a cavalier attitude when he spoke about how his conditioning will be in check if he were to stand trial in the case.

According to the New York Daily News, Rose stated on Saturday that he continues to perform "penitentiary workouts" at home, and learned them from Lamar Odom. "I do penitentiary work outs," Rose said. "I'll be in my room doing pushups, sit ups. I got it from Lamar Odom. From when I played in my first World Championship team [with Team USA]. He was on the team and the way he prepped himself before games, it was kinda like mini-workouts before the game. And that's something I saw and kind of stole from him. So yeah, when I'm in my room, it's stretching and having a little workouts, working on my body, flexibility, reading, and watching a lot of documentaries."

Rose had more to add about the sensitivity of the case and how he continues to focus on basketball throughout the court proceedings. "I'm sensitive to the subject and the topic but in my mind I feel like I didn't do anything wrong so I can't waste a lot of time thinking about it," Rose said, adding, "I have a great team handling it. They doing the best to diffuse the situation, either to take it to court or whatever it is. Like I said, this is my first time in the system. I don't know what's next. So after I talk to [my lawyers Saturday night] and get more details, that's when I'll be able to tell you."

Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek backed up Rose's statement about the new team member's approach to the game. "Every time we ask him those questions and talk to him he says he's just focused on basketball," Hornacek said. "I would guess deep down there's some thoughts back there that's distracting at times but I didn't see that [when he was] playing. Maybe when he's on the court he's just playing and other times he deals with that."

Carmelo Anthony even stated that Rose continues to be himself, not showing any signs of low morale at practice with the team. "He comes out here on the court and he's Derrick— he's laughing and joking, he's having fun, he's enjoying it," Anthony said. "I mean, when you're in your room, it could be something different behind closed doors, but he's around us, it's all basketball, it's all fun, it's all enjoyment for him."

That's all well and fine for Rose's professional work ethic. But with his life away from the court currently in question about allegedly committing sexual assault, using the term "penitentiary workouts" is  just not a good look for him at the moment.

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