Rose, Noah reflect on strange trip home

Walking back into the United Center as visiting players was a strange experience for both Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose.

Given a chance to reflect on the last of his nine seasons with the Chicago Bulls, Noah understood how things went wrong.

"I think it was time for change," Noah told reporters after the Knicks' shootaround Friday. "There's no question about that. It seems like (the Bulls are) a happy group. They enjoy being around one another. That's good."

Noah didn't feel like rehashing the details, but he seemed to admit last year's team didn't always enjoy being around each other. After starting the season with high expectations, the Bulls went 42-40 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008, Noah's rookie season.

"I look back on it and I was definitely frustrated," he said. "There was definitely a lot of adversity going on there. Now I can look back at it and see where things went wrong. It's not about blaming one person. Everybody in that locker room is good people. It's just (stuff) happens. It's a locker room.

"At the end of the day, the things I remember the most are good memories from everybody. I have no hard feelings toward anybody."

Rose happy to be home:

For Derrick Rose, Friday's road trip to Chicago was a true homecoming, and he appreciated it.

"It's my hometown. Of course I miss it," he said. "I haven't been gone this long since college. So this is all new to me, but my biggest thing is just trying to win games in New York.

"Coming back here felt good, to tell you the truth., especially with the Cubs winning, I felt the energy of the city. The city is on some type of high right now. It's great for the city, man, with everything we've been going through, the killings and everything. We need some positive light to shine here."

Rose spent eight years with the Bulls after going No. 1 in the 2008 draft. He missed nearly two full seasons recovering from knee injuries but also was the league's MVP in 2010-11.

"I felt like I gave it my all. I really tried," Rose said. "I had multiple times where I envisioned winning championships here, and it never happened. So I have to take those visions and take them to New York."

Noah back after injury:

Joakim Noah's Bulls career technically ended on Jan. 15, when he suffered a left-shoulder injury that kept him out for the rest of the season. He was ready for the start of Knicks training camp.

"It's always tough to go through injuries," Noah said. "You want to be out there and play, so just being out there and feeling good, I'm not someone that takes that for granted. Just getting back on the court, competing, it feels great."

Noah played so hard during the early part of his career, there is concern that it took a toll. Noah's last two seasons in Chicago were hampered by injuries.

"I know I fought really hard in this building every time I put on that Bulls uniform, and that means a lot to me," he said. "I have no regrets. It was a special time in my life."