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Chicago Bulls News

When trip over, schedule in Bulls' favor
February 4
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bulls flew home from New York to exhale for a while Friday, boarding a bus to Milwaukee in the afternoon in advance of Saturday morning's shootaround at Marquette. Following Saturday night's Bucks game, they will bus home for another half-day respite before flying to New Jersey on Sunday to continue the season-high nine-game trip Monday night. When the trip concludes Feb. 12 in Boston, the Bulls will have played a league-high 20 road games to just 10 at the United Center. Thursday's victory over the Knicks concluded their 10th of 17 back-to-back sets, and they already navigated their lone back-to-back-to-back test in early January. With Luol Deng poised to test the torn ligament in his"
Bulls 105, Knicks 102: Derrick Rose scores 15 of his 32 points in fourth quarter
February 3
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Maybe it was just a coincidence that one night after Derrick Rose sat out the fourth quarter of a 16-point loss to the 76ers, the Bulls' irrepressible point guard found a second wind in the fourth quarter and carried his team to a nerve-wracking 105-102 victory over the New York Knicks on Thursday night. Or maybe not. Maybe Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau — whether it was by design or not — made the prudent move when he ostensibly gave up a long shot at beating the Sixers to keep Rose fresher for the Knicks. That's the way it played out at Madison Square Garden as Rose recovered from a sluggish third quarter to play a spirited fourth quarter as the Bulls barely fended off Amare Stoudemire,"
Derrick Rose thanks his fans for voting him an All-Star starter
February 3
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"A league MVP at 22, Derrick Rose is still young enough at 23 to get a kick out of being selected to the All-Star Game. Rose was named a starter for the Eastern Conference team Thursday — his third consecutive All-Star selection in his four-year career and second consecutive start. He was the second-leading vote-getter (1,514,723) on the Eastern Conference team behind Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (1,600,390) and third overall behind the Lakers' Kobe Bryant (1,555,479). "It means a lot, especially from our fans to vote for me,'' said Rose. "I didn't [realize] that I had all those votes. It shows a lot. I don't take anything for granted. I'm appreciative of every one of my fans that"
All-Star starter Rose, again, leads Bulls to 105-102 victory
February 3
Chicago Tribune
 
"Since ending the Bulls' post-dynasty All-Star drought as a reserve in 2010, Derrick Rose, voted in Thursday as a starter for the second straight year, has made the game an annual routine. This is becoming routine as well: Following Rose's lead to prevent a two-game losing streak. The Bulls haven't lost consecutive regular-season games since Feb. 5-7, 2011 after Thursday night's 105-102 victory over the Knicks at a raucous Madison Square Garden."
Bulls rookie superb down stretch
February 3
Chicago Tribune
 
"In a surprise development, Jimmy Butler played all but nine seconds of the fourth quarter in the Bulls' 105-102 victory Thursday night over the Knicks, scoring four points with a block. Butler's jumper with 68 seconds left pushed the Bulls lead to 101-96, and he had seven points and two steals overall in nearly 21 minutes. "I'm not surprised," Derrick Rose said. "Coach loves him. He does his work, is very professional. He's a great rookie.""
Knicks start crucial 3-game stretch with loss to Chicago
February 3
New York Post
 
"The Knicks have been underwhelming and underachieving, and there have been reports coach Mike D'Antoni could be fired as soon as tomorrow if his team lost last night to Chicago and tonight in Boston. If so, he's halfway there after a 105-102 defeat to the Bulls at the Garden in which the Knicks' comeback against Derrick Rose and his teammates fell short just like late 3-point attempts by Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony. In truth, the Knicks, who have lost 10 of their last 12 games, have showed signs of turning the corner: Anthony got back on the court, Stoudemire got back in a groove and they nearly rallied for the victory. But they were undone at the start by their own"
Rose shows 'em what star guard does
February 3
New York Post
 columnist Kevin Kernan
"One superstar point "card'' trumps all the Knicks' stars. All-Star guard Derrick Rose was spectacular last night, leading the undermanned Bulls to a 105-102 victory over Carmelo Anthony (a fellow East All-Star), Amar'e Stoudemire and the Knicks at the Garden. When Rose was done destroying the Knicks, he talked about his supreme will to win and how much his team hates to lose. A few minutes after that, he was inthe hallway outside the visiting locker room shaking hands with Yankees manager Joe Girardi and telling Girardi, who grew up in East Peoria, Ill., "Thank you for coming, sir.''"
Rose scores 32 points, Bulls beat Knicks 105-102
February 3
New York Post
 
"Derrick Rose scored 32 points to outduel fellow All-Star starter Carmelo Anthony, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Knicks 105-102 Thursday night. Rose had 15 in the fourth quarter and repeatedly answered when the Knicks rallied. With Chicago leading 88-83 midway through the final period, the reigning MVP scored on three straight possessions. He split Anthony and Amare Stoudemire to flip in a shot from past the backboard, then hit a 3-pointer to put the Bulls up 95-88. Stoudemire had 34 points and 11 rebounds but missed a 3-pointer that would have tied the game with 10 seconds left. New York has lost 10 of 12 and now heads into its first back-to-back-to-back since 1999 with coach Mike"
Sixers serve notice with big victory over Bulls
February 2
CSN Philly
 columnist John Finger
"Respect. No, the Sixers claim they didn't go into Wednesday night's showdown against the Eastern Conference's top-rated team, the Bulls, at the Center on some sort of quest for respect or their just due. The season is much too long for any declarations of that sort after just 22 games. However, if there ever was a victory that should make the NBA powerbrokers turn their heads and take notice of those Philadelphia 76ers, it most definitely was the 98-82 drubbing of the Bulls, Wednesday night."
Bulls' lethargic starters end it early against 76ers
February 2
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Bulls missed Luol Deng and Richard Hamilton on Wednesday night. But they also missed Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose and Ronnie Brewer. Those four starters sat out the fourth quarter of a 98-82 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers after contributing to a disastrous third quarter in which the Sixers outscored the Bulls 26-11 to take a 7-55 lead. ''We played a messed-up game where we rubbed off on everybody else,'' said Rose, who scored 18 points on 8-for-17 shooting with six assists and four turnovers. ''It was definitely the starters. They held us back pretty good and kept it on us. This is something we're not going to forget. I know I'm not.''"
Bulls have expressed interest in free agent Przybilla but he reportedly has offer from Heat
February 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"Veteran big man Joel Przybilla is nearing a decision on where he will resume his playing career, according to his agent Bill Duffy. The Tribune reported the Bulls' interest in Przybilla in early December. They also have had conversations with other reserve big man possibilities like Leon Powe, a league source said. Duffy said the Heat also has offered Przybilla a contract, and the Sporting News reported Przybilla's choice will come this week. Przybilla, 32, has been spending time with his family in Wisconsin after playing 36 games with the Trail Blazers and Bobcats last season. In 10 NBA seasons, Przybilla has averaged 4 points and 6.3 rebounds in 553 games."
Sluggish Bulls routed 98-82
February 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"Here's about all you need to know regarding the Bulls' 98-82 blowout loss to the 76ers on Wednesday night at Wells Fargo Center: The quick, athletic 76ers forced 17 turnovers and, more devastatingly, scored 29 points off of them. They piled up 21 fast-break points to the Bulls' four. They had more rebounds, more second-chance points and way more energy, particularly in a 26-11 third quarter. No wonder coach Tom Thibodeau said he would have stuck with the reserves who played the entire fourth quarter, even if they had whittled a 20-point deficit lower than the 12 to which they dropped it."
Bulls going cautious with Hamilton
February 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"One day after Luol Deng took contact on the torn ligament in his left wrist for the first time, the Bulls confirmed Richard Hamilton will sit until fully recovered from his groin and thigh bruise issues. "We don't want to keep going down this road where he plays a game or two and then he's out again," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "It's not fair to him or us. We have to get him healthy.""
Chicago? Maybe God will direct Dwight to stay in Orlando
February 1
Orlando Sentinel
 columnist Mike Bianchi
"Dear God: Sorry to bother you because I know you're busy dealing with important issues like world hunger, peace in the Middle East and acquiring Tebow some better receivers (LOL!), but something has been brought to our attention here in Orlando. The Magic's franchise center Dwight Howard said the other day that he might go play in Chicago with Derrick Rose "if God wanted that to happen." I know NBA Commissioner David Stern sometimes acts like God, but I'm assuming Dwight is talking about you, the real God. I have to admit, though, I'm going against my longstanding position by even writing you this letter. I have never believed you would get involved in the triviality of sports or play"
Hold on, Bulls fans . . . Dwight's preferred trade list remains the same
February 1
Orlando Sentinel
 
"Fans of the Chicago Bulls probably rejoiced when Dwight Howard indicated to the Chicago Tribune that he would be open to playing on the same team as reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose. "If I could play with Derrick right now and God wanted that to happen, it will happen," Howard said. "It has nothing to do with me not wanting to play with Derrick Rose. I love him. That's my brother.'' But not so fast, Bulls fans. Magic General Manager Otis Smith told the Orlando Sentinel that Howard's camp has not indicated to the Magic that the superstar center has expanded his list of preferred trade destinations beyond his original three teams: the New Jersey Nets, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas"
What the Bulls' Kyle Korver must be thinking
February 1
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Kyle Korver made five three-pointers in the Bulls' win over the Washington Wizards on Monday night, but he wasn't in that zone where a shooter feels like he can't miss. That happens only rarely. He was feeling it when he made five threes against the Orlando Magic on Jan. 6, for example. This time? Not so much. ''I didn't feel like it was that great, actually," he said matter-of-factly. ''I got some good looks and knocked some in, but it wasn't that night.''"
$60 million deal hurt my game — Noah
February 1
Chicago Tribune
 
"Joakim Noah is an emotional player, often dubbed the heart and soul of the Bulls. He ruminates over losses and criticism with as much intensity as he displays on the court when his motor is running, his ponytail is bobbing and his rebounds are rising. The slow start Noah endured to this season bothered him deeply. Uncharacteristically clumsy and spiritless, the affable Noah wasn't, to steal one of his favorite phrases, affecting winning. In an interview with the Tribune, Noah for the first time revealed the five-year, $60 million extension he signed in October 2010 and which began this season contributed to his struggles."
Bulls taking precautions with Hamilton
February 1
Chicago Tribune
 
"It's possible, if not likely, Luol Deng will return from injury before Richard Hamilton. All signs point to the Bulls resting Hamilton until he fully recovers from the deep right thigh bruise and lingering left groin issues he has battled. When he tried to play Jan. 4 in Detroit, he missed the next eight games. Similarly, Hamilton responded to playing 36 minutes against the Heat on Sunday by sitting Monday in Washington. Hamilton now has missed more games than he has played, 12 to 11."
Ex-Bulls star Love moved to tears by ceremony
February 1
Chicago Tribune
 
"Former Chicago Bulls forward Bob Love said he "cried like a baby" when his college jersey No. 41 was retired during halftime ceremonies at Southern University in Baton Rouge, La. "I couldn't help it. The tears just flowed," Love said. "It meant so much to me and they really surprised me. I couldn't believe it.""
Hamilton to sit awhile after 'playing on one leg'
January 31
Chicago Tribune
 
"Here's a crazy, yet likely, scenario: Luol Deng will return to play with a torn ligament in his left wrist before Richard Hamilton does the same with his leg ailments. Hamilton admitted that he likely will sit for a while in an attempt to put the groin and right thigh bruise issues in his rearview mirror for good. "It's frustrating, but I have to get healthy," Hamilton said."
Derrick Rose leads Chicago past John Wall and Washington, 98-88
January 31
Washington Post
 
"John Wall squared up against the player whose career he would most like to duplicate and did his best to trade him acrobatic layup for head-scratching layup. And for a half, Wall held his own against Derrick Rose, the reigning league's most valuable player, unwilling to get upstaged on his home turf. But as the game dragged on, and the Washington Wizards continued to miss shots and Rose continued to share the ball with his more-than-capable teammates, the gap between the two players and their respective teams became more magnified."
Derrick Rose scores 35 points in Bulls' victory against Wizards
January 31
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The best way to erase a bad memory is to create new ones. That was what Derrick Rose was determined to do Monday against the Washington Wizards in an attempt to forget about missing two free throws with 22.7 seconds left that would have given the Bulls the lead in their loss Sunday to the Miami Heat. ''Tonight, I'm going to try to go crazy,'' Rose said before the game. He was crazy, all right. Crazy good."
Rose is sorry he let city down by missing free throws against Heat
January 31
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Derrick Rose didn't just let himself and his teammates down. He let the entire city of Chicago down when he missed two free throws with 22.7 seconds left that could have given the Bulls the lead in an eventual loss to the Miami Heat on Sunday. At least that's how he sees it. "I'm just hurt not for me but for the city of Chicago," Rose said. "Knowing how big that game was not only to me and the organization but to our fans. That's a rivalry. You have your best player, and he has the opportunity to take the lead and I didn't come through. The only thing I can do is hope the fans stick with me and stay with me. I promise I won't let them down again.""
Rose on Magic's Howard: 'Who wouldn't want to play with him?'
January 31
Chicago Tribune
 
"Dwight Howard told the Tribune's Vaughn McClure he "loves" Derrick Rose and "that's my brother." Rose, who has been knocked out of two games by Howard, reacted similarly to when he talks about any opposing player. "Me and Dwight definitely have a relationship, especially because of Adidas," Rose said. "I know that our market and the city speaks for itself if someone was interested to come to the Bulls. Dwight is a great player. Who wouldn't want to play with him? You never know what's going to happen.""
Rose works his magic as Bulls top Wizards
January 31
Chicago Tribune
 
"This is what leadership looks like. This is what defines greatness. Vowing "to try to go crazy" before Monday's game against Washington, Derrick Rose did exactly that in the Bulls' 98-88 bounce-back victory. Yet Rose didn't do so in ballhog, I-gotta-get-mine fashion. Thirteen of his 35 points came in the first quarter. Two of his eight assists came in the second, when Kyle Korver got hot. He took over again in the third with 15 points. Then, trapped consistently in the fourth, Rose found Joakim Noah in the high post as his release point."
Dwight Howard open to being a Bull
January 30
ESPN.com
 
"Earlier this month Dwight Howard wouldn't say whether he would be interested in playing for the Chicago Bulls. He's open to the idea now. Just days after ripping his Orlando Magic teammates for their effort in a blowout loss to the New Orleans Hornets, Howard added MVP Derrick Rose's Bulls to his list of potential destinations. "If I could play with Derrick right now and God wanted that to happen, it will happen," Howard told the Chicago Tribune. "It has nothing to do with me not wanting to play with Derrick Rose. I love him. That's my brother." Media reports earlier this season speculated that adidas, which both Howard and Rose represent, would not want two of their stars in the same"
NBA's best rivalry resumes between the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls
January 30
Miami Herald
 
"Every day should be Heat-Bulls. Every day should be random bike rides by global sports icons. Every day should be said icon, LeBron James, jumping clean over a poor, helpless "defender" to finish a one-handed alley-oop. Every day should be Derrick Rose getting so worked up that after the game you can't tell if he had been crying or if his intensity was just spilling out of his eyes. Every day should be Heat-Bulls, and every day you would be inspired, awed, frustrated, devastated, relieved, entertained and exhausted all in that two-and-a-half-hour window."
LeBron shuts down Rose at end of MVP matchup
January 30
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"What a day. What a game. What a stage for the one real rivalry in the East — Heat vs. Bulls — that delivered such full-court emotion, Chicago guard Derrick Rose stood by his locker afterward and … What the … What's he … Tears? 'Give me one,'' Rose said, eyes welling up, of the two foul shots he missed with 22.7 seconds left in the Heat's 97-93 win. "I missed both of those. … Come on." A year ago, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra admitted players were crying in the locker room after a loss to Chicago to offer how much they cared. The idea became another laughtrack of that Heat time. Crygate, it was labeled."
Derrick Rose's shooting foul in clutch as Heat prevails
January 30
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Derrick Rose made jump shots with Miami Heat players draped all over him. He made runners and scoop shots. He made shots right-handed and left-handed. He was double- and even triple-teamed, and he still was able to finish at the rim. He made all 12 of his free throws when he stepped to the line with a chance to give the Bulls their first lead with 22.7 seconds left. He couldn't forgive himself for missing both shots as the Heat handed the Bulls a deflating 97-93 defeat Sunday at AmericanAirlines Arena. "Me missing those free throws. Both? Come on," he said in the locker room, still unable to fathom what had happened. "The only thing I can think of is God does things for a reason. He's"
Rose rallies Bulls, then beats self up for not finishing job
January 30
Chicago Tribune
 
"Derrick Rose doesn't just levitate to breathtaking results. He self-flagellates with the best of them as well. Following the Bulls' 97-93 gut-wrenching loss to the Heat on Sunday at AmericanAirlines Arena, Rose, who missed a pair of free-throw attempts that could have put the Bulls ahead with 22.7 seconds left and a potentially game-tying floater with 3.7 seconds to go, put on a performance for the ages. He looked downward glumly. He swore. He referenced a higher power."
Inadvertent whistle hurts Bulls late in loss to Heat
January 30
Chicago Tribune
 
"Avoiding a fine, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau refused to be a whistle-blower on an inadvertent whistle that, ultimately, gave the Heat an extra possession and point in their four-point victory Sunday. "I'll just leave it alone," Thibodeau said. "I'm not going to say anything. All you have to do is look at the tape." Asked a follow-up question on what explanation officials gave him, Thibodeau remained tight-lipped. "I have no comment," he said."
Bulls' Deng sits but is close to returning
January 30
Chicago Tribune
 
"Luol Deng worked himself into a sweaty lather before Sunday's matinee, shooting, dribbling, running. Though he told teammates he wanted to play his first game with a torn ligament in his left wrist against the Heat, Deng sat. But his return is imminent. "I would say he's very close," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "He's doing more and more and feels a lot better. We want to make sure he feels good about playing. He still has to take contact on it. As long as he's moving in the right direction, we're pleased with that.""
Heat survive blood feud with Bulls 97-93 behind James' 35
January 30
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Playoffs in January? About as close as you're going to get in the NBA. On a day the NFL and NHL offered gloried exhibitions of All-Star triteness, the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls offered true grit Sunday at AmericanAirlines Arena. "For a regular-season game, that's probably as intense as you'll find," Heat forward Shane Battier said. "It had intensity, to say the least." Get the FREE Miami Hoops iPhone and Android app Playoffs in January? You bet, all the way to the finish of a 97-93 Heat victory that sent a message from both sides to the rest of the Eastern Conference that there is us and then everybody else. "In many regards," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, "it was a typical"
Watson, Deng out for Bulls; Hamilton will play
January 29
Chicago Tribune
 
"Luol Deng and C.J. Watson will miss Sunday's showdown against the Miami Heat, while Richard Hamilton will play. Coach Tom Thibodeau said Deng is "very close" to returning and playing with a torn ligament in his left wrist. Deng spent pregame shooting and dribbling."
Plot thickens for Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls
January 29
Miami Herald
 
"Hollywood as hell. That's what Bulls center Joakim Noah called the Heat after last season's Eastern Conference finals. "They're Hollywood as hell, but they're still very good," Noah said begrudgingly after the Heat defeated the Bulls in five games to advance to the NBA Finals. Such words are the window dressings of a budding rivalry. The bright lights of the Heat's big screen shine upon the Bulls for the first time this season Sunday. It's a nationally televised matinee game at AmericanAirlines Arena between the two best teams in the Eastern Conference. "I think they're going to approach it with a bit of a chip on their shoulder, but we have a chip on our shoulder, too," Heat forward Chris"
Bulls mean real basketball for Heat, but a real rivalry?
January 29
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Finally, something more than Detroit's Austin Daye tossing up eight 3-point prayers against the Heat and then every single Knicks player seemingly doing the same a game later. Heat-Bulls on Sunday afternoon at AmericanAirlines Arena delivers a genuine basketball challenge, not the circus of the past two games. But does it deliver legitimate rivalry? That takes more than one playoff series. Last season, was a start, but this is nothing like Heat-Knicks during the Hardaway-Mourning days, or even Heat-Pistons during the start of the Wade era. Some of that has to do with the lack of identity when it comes to the opposition, with Scott Skiles then Vinny Del Negro and now Tom Thibodeau the"
Rip Hamilton (bruised thigh) uncertain to play against Heat
January 29
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"When the Bulls lost to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals last season, there was an epidemic of offensive ineptitude throughout the lineup. Though the Bulls seem to have found an antidote in shooting guard Rip Hamilton, they might be without him when they play the Heat on Sunday. Hamilton sat out the Bulls' victory Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks at the United Center with a bruised thigh and is considered day-to-day. He was limited to some shooting at practice Saturday. ''We want all our pieces healthy, obviously,'' center Joakim Noah said. ''But we feel like we have enough to win. We're just going to go out there and compete as hard as possible.''"
Bulls' game vs. Heat likely preview of things to come
January 29
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The last thing anyone should do is doubt Bulls star Derrick Rose's sincerity. So when he says the game Sunday against the Miami Heat is no more than the next one on the schedule, he means it. But there's also no disputing Bulls-Heat has become the NBA's trendiest rivalry. They are the best teams in the Eastern Conference, and it likely will feel like something more than just another game when they square off at American Airlines Arena. The battle to establish a pecking order atop the East begins Sunday, and those who have studied both teams think the winner of their seemingly inevitable playoff series is too close to call."
Heat taking care of business
January 29
Chicago Tribune
 
"Dear Chicago, You won't recognize the Heat on Sunday from when you last cursed them. They have been stripped down, left naked, exposed to the elements and rubbed raw by the basketball fates. As LeBron James tweeted just a few days ago, "Getting a massage on the back patio with the wind blowing off the ocean and the waves dancing together. Wow I'm really #blessed." What, you expected some regular-season penance for their June stumble? When I said you might not recognize the Heat, I meant they're your worst nightmare now. They're better. They're sounder. They're deeper with veteran Shane Battier, rookie Norris Cole, a healthy Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller and even a hope Eddy Curry could"
These Bulls a different lot
January 29
Chicago Tribune
 
"Dear Miami, No, it's not snowing. Thanks for asking. In fact, this winter has been quite mild, aided in part by that smoking-hot, regular-season machine known as the Bulls. Well, that, and the feverish worry over Derrick Rose's toe, Luol Deng's wrist, Carlos Boozer's lift and if there's enough offensive firepower to unseat the Heat. You will notice many of the same principals remain from last season's epic collapse, er, battle in the Eastern Conference finals. They all have been obsessed with righting the wrongs exposed in the Game 5 meltdown at the United Center last May 26. Joakim Noah has righted himself after a bumbling, somnambulant start. Rose is Rose, turf toe or not. And depth,"
Bulls know what they are up against
January 29
Chicago Tribune
 
"Tom Thibodeau treats every game the same, so he isn't buying into the hype of Sunday's nationally televised game against the Heat other than to acknowledge the facts. "They're the Eastern Conference champs, so we're chasing them," Thibodeau said. The Bulls won all three regular-season meetings last season before succumbing in five games during the Eastern Conference finals. So the significance of any regular-season meeting must be muted, particularly with Richard Hamilton and Luol Deng being game-time decisions."
Derrick Rose answers call in Bulls' victory over Bucks
January 28
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"If you're Derrick Rose, there are times to get your teammates involved and times to be a scorer first. With Bucks center Andrew Bogut out with a broken ankle, and the Bulls without primary ­scorers Luol Deng and Rip Hamilton ­because of injuries, Friday night's game at the United Center called for the latter. Rose has said his sprained left big toe will affect his game for the rest of the season and at times since his return that has been evident. But his ability to change directions, elevate and take opponents off the dribble was as devastating as he scored 34 points in a 107-100 win that served as the team's last home game before it heads off on a nine-game road trip. "He was very, very"
Taj Gibson returns, but Rip Hamilton sits with bruised thigh
January 28
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"If you think the condensed schedule has been tough on the players, imagine what the Bulls' training staff is going through. Trainer Fred Tedeschi and his crew will have to treat themselves for cramps and dehydration if they are forced to keep up this pace much longer. On a night when Taj Gibson returned to score two points and grab four rebounds after missing three games with a high ankle sprain, Rip Hamilton reappeared on the injured list with a bruised thigh sustained in Wednesday's loss to the Pacers. Hamilton was unable to finish the shootaround Friday morning and was considered a game-time decision, as was Gibson. Hamilton initially was listed as the starter at shooting guard, but he"
Injury musical chairs for Bulls
January 28
Chicago Tribune
 
"Richard Hamilton sat. Taj Gibson returned. And Luol Deng continued to progress. You seemingly can't have a Bulls game these days without an injury report. Hamilton missed his 11th game after suffering a previously undisclosed right thigh bruise during Wednesday's loss to the Pacers. The sore groin that sidelined him for the other 10 also flared a bit, though that isn't considered serious. As for Gibson, he returned from a 31/2-game absence after spraining his left ankle Jan. 20 in Cleveland. He finished with two points and four rebounds in 15 minutes in Friday night's 107-100 victory over the Bucks. Deng is dribbling and shooting but hasn't taken contact on his left wrist, which has a torn"
Rose on fire in lighting up Bucks
January 28
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Pacers lost in Boston on Friday night, so they couldn't have been in a United Center hallway still celebrating their Wednesday victory over the Bulls and making Derrick Rose's ears burn. But Rose played like something was aflame, scoring a season-high 34 points in the Bulls' 107-100 victory over the Bucks. Maybe it was Brandon Jennings' 16-point first quarter. Whatever it was, Rose attacked the rim with more typical ferocity, getting to the line 10 times and scoring on a variety of floaters and spin moves inside. What sprained toe? "He was very, very aggressive," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "He's feeling a lot better. He was in attack mode. And that set the tone for us." The Bulls,"
Bulls fans need to accept Carlos Boozer for what he is
January 27
Chicago Sun-Times
 
""Why am I out?" Those were the words Carlos Boozer mouthed to an assistant coach after being replaced by Brian Scalabrine with the Bulls trailing 92-89 with 57 seconds left in Wednesday night's loss to the Pacers at the United Center. Not only was the Bulls' third-leading scorer and top rebounder being replaced during a critical moment of a game against a division rival, but backup power forward Taj Gibson was unavailable with a high ankle sprain. That meant coach Tom Thibodeau thought Option C — Scalabrine — gave the Bulls a better chance of getting a stop than leaving Boozer on the floor. "Why am I out?" The answer was obvious. He was being replaced by the little-used Scalabrine for"
Derrick Rose vows revenge after Pacers' victory celebration
January 27
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Defeating inferior teams despite a rash of injuries is something the Bulls have proved they can do while racking up the league's best record. Beating one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference without two of their best players is a different matter, and the Indiana Pacers snapped the Bulls' eight-game home winning streak with a 95-90 victory Wednesday night. The Bulls were without Luol Deng and Taj Gibson but still had a chance against the Pacers, who pushed the Bulls during their first-round playoff series last season and rank among the league leaders in rebounding and opponents' field-goal percentage. And it was the Pacers who made the plays down the stretch to hold off the Bulls."
Deng will take pains to stay in lineup
January 27
Chicago Tribune
 
"With Luol Deng aiming to return Sunday in Miami with a torn ligament in his left wrist, the question moves to whether the organization will let him. Such decisions are collaborative. The organization supported Deng when he made the decision to try to play through the injury rather than opt for surgery now. Thus, it stands to reason when Deng says he can tolerate the pain, he will play. "Basically, it's week to week," coach Tom Thibodeau said this week. "It's going to be more of a pain tolerance issue. Obviously, we're pleased he isn't having surgery now. Hopefully, he can get back as quick as he can.""
Bulls driven in pursuit of excellence
January 27
Chicago Tribune
 
"The question hung in the air for 12 agonizing seconds. That's half a shot-clock violation. That's two, maybe three trips down the floor for the lightning-like Derrick Rose. Finally, Rose, who had been asked what disappointed him most about Wednesday's loss to the Pacers, answered in a tone normally reserved for funerals. "Not learning from our mistakes, jumping on a team and letting them come back," Rose said, barely making eye contact. "It's always like that." The Bulls are 16-4."