Chicago Bulls News

Some hope for an early Noah return
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March 14
Daily Herald
 
"The Bulls have been reeling lately, with seven straight losses and more tough games on tap this week. Following Sunday's practice at the Berto Center, coach Vinny Del Negro offered a vision of a brighter future. And he wasn't talking about next season. "We've had some tough things happen to us," Del Negro said. "Luckily, nothing's major. There's some hope we can get everyone back here in the next 4 days, 5 days, a week – I don't know what it is yet. But as soon as we can get everyone together, we can get on the same page quickly again and get back to playing the way we're capable of.""
Battered Bulls staying positive
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March 14
Daily Southtown
 
"Despite a rash of injuries to their best players, a seven-game losing streak and an on-court display of frustration and anger in their 108-95 loss Friday to the Miami Heat, the Bulls insist they haven't thrown in the towel on this season. ''Morale's good,'' coach Vinny Del Negro said. ''We just have to keep it together right now, get some rest, get some guys healthy, play a little bit better and try to make a run at it. ''But we have to get guys back right now.'' A stretch of three consecutive days off is rare during an NBA season, but the break couldn't have come at a better time for the Bulls. The hope is that point guard Derrick Rose (sprained left wrist) and small forward Luol Deng ..."
25 years ago: Reinsdorf jumps into the Bulls market
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March 14
Chicago Sun-Times
 columnist Tony Gennetti
"It all started because George Steinbrenner was tired of writing checks for a losing proposition known as the Chicago Bulls. Surely, the New York Yankees' mogul couldn't have imagined the seeds that were planted 26 years ago during a casual dinner conversation with Jerry Reinsdorf: A stunning rise to world renown for a franchise that, back then, couldn't even draw flies. Two strings of "three-peat" NBA championships in the 1990s that elevated not only the city but the professional game itself."
Bump costs Hinrich a game
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March 14
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"After playing without three starters (Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah) Friday night in Miami, the Bulls will be without another starter (Kirk Hinrich) for their next game, Tuesday at Memphis. The NBA announced Saturday that Hinrich has been suspended for a game for making contact with referee Bennie Adams during the Bulls' 108-95 loss to the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Hinrich was ejected in the fourth quarter when he was assessed a second technical foul by Adams. After the ejection, Hinrich followed Adams, apparently to get an explanation. There was contact as Hinrich, Adams and referee Tom Washington converged. Bulls general manager Gar Forman declined comment after ..."
Ex-Bulls guard Hughes signs with Bobcats
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March 14
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Charlotte Bobcats have signed veteran guard Larry Hughes to help with depth in the backcourt as they attempt to reach the playoffs for the first time. General manager Rod Higgins, searching for backcourt help since trading Flip Murray to the Bulls last month in the Tyrus Thomas deal, said this month he wouldn't sign Hughes because of Hughes' broken finger. But the injury has healed, and a team spokesman says Hughes passed his physical."
Bulls rookie Gibson talks shoes, plantar faciitis
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March 14
Chicago Tribune
 
"Bulls rookie Taj Gibson has been wearing the Nike's Air Max Rise lately. And he's a fan. And so are his feet. "It's a good shoe. I got them from the All-Star game. Nike gave me a couple of pair and they've really helped my feet because I have plantar faciitis in both my feet. So, it's been real good for my feet." Maybe he should give them to Joakim Noah?"
Bulls' Hinrich suspended one game for ref contact
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March 14
Chicago Tribune
 
"Kirk Hinrich has been suspended for one game after bumping into referee Bennie Adams Friday night when he was ejected with his second technical foul. Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations, announced Saturday that Hinrich will serve his suspension on Tuesday, when the Bulls face the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum. Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro had insisted the bump was inadvertent. "It was because the referee stopped. That's the only reason he bumped him," said Del Negro immediately after the Bulls' seventh straight loss. "Kirk was walking toward him, and then the referee turned and they bumped. Kirk wasn't going there to bump him....there was some contact but ..."
Contact with ref after technical leads to suspension for Hinrich
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March 14
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"After playing without three starters (Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah) Friday night in Miami, the Bulls will be without another starter (Kirk Hinrich) for their next game, Tuesday at Memphis. The NBA announced Saturday that Hinrich has been suspended for a game for making contact with referee Bennie Adams during the Bulls' 108-95 loss to the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Hinrich was ejected in the fourth quarter when he was assessed a second technical foul by Adams. After the ejection, Hinrich followed Adams, apparently to get an explanation. There was contact as Hinrich, Adams and referee Tom Washington converged. Bulls general manager Gar Forman declined comment after ..."
Shorthanded Miami Heat still holds off reeling Bulls
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March 13
Miami Herald
 
"With two veterans serving team-imposed suspensions and its second-leading scorer out with an injury, the Heat appeared to enter Friday's game in pretty bad shape. Fortunately for the Heat, its opponent had it even worse. With Derrick Rose joining Luol Deng and Joakim Noah on the injured list, a team disguised as the Chicago Bulls showed up to face the Heat at AmericanAirlines Arena. ``At this time of the year, most [teams] only got seven or eight guys in the rotation anyway,'' Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. ``We're not the most healthy team, either.'' The Heat had enough productive bodies to hold off the Bulls in a battle of shorthanded teams fighting for the Eastern Conference playoffs. ..."
O'Neal's 25 points help push Heat past scrappy Bulls 108-95
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March 13
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"How do you make up for the absence of Michael Beasley? You split the challenge. So center Jermaine O'Neal took care of the scoring and forward Joel Anthony handled the rebounding. With O'Neal scoring a season-high 25 points and with Anthony, who started in place of Beasley, adding a season-high 10 rebounds, the Miami Heat pushed past the injury-ravaged Chicago Bulls 108-95 Friday at AmericanAirlines Arena. "We came out to try to control the tempo," said O'Neal, who shot 8 of 13 from the field and 9 of 11 from the line. "Coach wanted to go to me right away." For a while, it also seemed like the Heat was lacking Dwyane Wade, with its star guard closing the first half with five points and ..."
Rose sits out, relieved injury isn't worse
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March 13
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"While sitting out his first game of the season, Derrick Rose only could watch helplessly from the bench Friday night as the Bulls suffered their seventh consecutive defeat. But after suffering an injured left wrist the previous night in Orlando -- courtesy of another hard foul from Magic center Dwight Howard -- Rose was relieved that the results of an MRI exam taken Friday morning showed only a sprain and no fracture or ligament damage. ''Thank God I didn't break nothing or really did some damage to my wrist,'' he said. Rose is listed as day-to-day but has no idea when he might play again. Fortunately for the Bulls, they are off until Tuesday, when they play the Grizzlies in Memphis. ''I ..."
Bulls' frustration boils over in Miami
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March 13
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"With each injury and each loss, the Bulls' level of frustration has been building over the last two weeks. But after a 108-95 loss to the Miami Heat Friday night, the Bulls said their late-game eruption --three technical fouls and an ejection for guard Kirk Hinrich -- had more to do with perceived injustices in that game than their losing streak being extended to seven games. ''I have to look at the film, but I just thought we were getting hit a little bit during the game,'' said Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro, who was assessed a technical in the third quarter. ''But talking about the referees doesn't get you very far. I just saw things a little differently than they were and you have to ..."
Bulls drop 7th straight, Hinrich ejected
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March 13
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bulls lost another game -- their seventh straight -- and Kirk Hinrich lost his cool with 4:43 remaining in the fourth period of a 108-95 loss to the Miami Heat. After the Heat's Dwyane Wade appeared to travel underneath the basket before being fouled by Brad Miller, the Bulls were assessed a flagrant foul. Hinrich argued vehemently and was assessed a technical. Miller also was assessed a technical. When Hinrich continued to argue and charge the officials, he was ejected. Hinrich appeared to make contact with referee Bennie Adams."
Feeling sorry for Vinny. OK. Enough. Now what about Derrick?
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March 13
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Steve Rosenbloom
"It's not as if Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro had any chance to come back next season even if they slipped into the playoffs this season. But when you combine Del Negro's coaching shortcomings with a run of injuries to four of the five starters, then you've got a death spiral that almost makes you feel sorry for Del Negro. Not sorry enough to argue for bringing him back to continue this two-year mistake, mind you, but sorry enough that he won't even have a chance to delude himself into believing he has a case. Heading into Thursday night's game in Orlando, Joakim Noah and Luol Deng were hurt and out. They're not superstars, but then the Bulls aren't good, so, while Noah and Deng barely would ..."
Hinrich blows top, Bulls blow game 108-95
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March 13
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bulls lost another game -- their seventh straight -- and Kirk Hinrich lost his cool with 4 minutes, 43 seconds remaining in a 108-95 loss to the Heat on Friday night. After the Heat's Dwyane Wade appeared to travel underneath the basket before Brad Miller fouled him, the Bulls were assessed a flagrant foul. Hinrich argued vehemently and was assessed a technical. Miller also got a technical. When Hinrich continued to argue and charge the officials, he was ejected. Hinrich appeared to make contact with referee Bennie Adams, which could be cause for a suspension. "It was because the referee stopped. That's the only reason he bumped him," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "Kirk was walking ..."
MRI shows no major damage to Rose's wrist
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March 13
Chicago Tribune
 
"Derrick Rose received a get-well text from Magic center Dwight Howard on Friday. But the Bulls' All-Star guard already had gotten the message from Howard that he needs to alter his route to the basket when facing the 6-foot-11, 280-pounder. Rose injured his left wrist coming down off a drive as Howard fouled him in the first quarter of a 111-82 loss to the Magic on Thursday night. Fortunately for the Bulls, an MRI on Friday in Miami revealed no fracture or ligament damage. "I really tried to brace myself and I came down wrong," Rose said before his teammates faced the Heat. "I came down on my wrist, and it swelled up a little bit. (The MRI showed) it was nothing but a bruise. I'm just ..."
Sprained wrist will sideline Rose for Heat game
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March 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"The results of an MRI on the left wrist of Bulls All-Star guard Derrick Rose revealed a sprain that will keep him from playing Friday against the Miami Heat. His status is listed as day-to-day. Rose suffered the injury late in the first period of Thursday night's 111-82 loss in Orlando when he was fouled hard by center Dwight Howard. Rose left the game at the end of the first quarter and had his wrist X-rayed Thursday night before undergoing the MRI in Miami, where the Bulls will face the Heat Friday night. Rose's teammates marvel at the courage the second-year guard has displayed. "He's a fearless competitor. Chicago guy ... South Side, Englewood ... he just plays with a lot of courage ..."
Bulls' Rose to get MRI on wrist on Friday
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March 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"Derrick Rose had his wrist X-rayed and reportedly had it placed in a sling. He remained in the training room and declined to talk to reporters after the game. Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said Rose will have an MRI on the wrist Friday in Miami to determine the extent of the injury. "He said he felt sore, stiff, disappointed. You could tell he was a little disappointed and upset," said Del Negro. "Hopefully the MRI will show that it is just a sprained wrist and then we will make a decision for (Friday) and going forward." Howard added that he has warned Rose about driving the lane with his body out of control."
Magic vets to Derrick Rose: Be smart when attacking big men
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March 12
Orlando Sentinel
 
"Vince Carter shook his head when remembering the time he barreled into Shaquille O'Neal, much like Derrick Rose crashed into Dwight Howard in the first quarter of Thursday night's game. Carter learned his lesson on how to do that. Did he get hurt? "Yeah. Yeah," Carter said. "And he didn't move." That's what happens when a little(ish) guard hits a big man at full speed. Thursday's collision was the second of its kind between Howard and Rose this season. Howard knocked Rose down in February, committing a hard foul on the point guard and injuring his hip. Thursday night, Howard did less, but Rose landed hard and sprained his wrist. Without their most potent player for the second, third and ..."
Derrick Rose's kryptonite is Dwight Howard
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March 12
Orlando Sentinel
 
"Better keep Derrick Rose away from Dwight Howard. Howard was, and still is, hazardous to Rose's health. The Chicago Bulls point guard hurt his left wrist Thursday night after he drove into the lane, collided in midair with the Orlando Magic center and crashed to the Amway Arena court in a loud thud. Rose sat out the final three quarters of the 111-82 Magic victory. Chicago coach Vinny Del Negro said that Rose has a sprained wrist and will have an MRI exam today. "As a big man, you never try to hurt anybody when they come down the lane," Howard said. "Me and Derrick are cool. He's a great player, a great person. You never want to see him get hurt. But I always tell him, 'When you come down ..."
Orlando Magic handle their business against the Chicago Bulls
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March 12
Orlando Sentinel
 
"There are 16 regular-season games remaining for the Orlando Magic. Although they haven't officially clinched a postseason spot, you can see the pending playoffs written all over Vince Carter's game face. About the only time that Carter, 33, eyes the calendar is to remind himself how long it has been since he's played bonus basketball. Officially, it has been almost three years since he's participated in the playoffs -- the 2006-07 season with the New Jersey Nets -- and that's a lifetime for a veteran. Carter continued his charge on Thursday night, scoring 21 points in the first half in the Magic's 111-82 rout of the Chicago Bulls at Amway Arena. Orlando rode his production to its ..."
Heat finds itself in a make-or-breaker game against Bulls
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March 12
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"There are statement games of ego, such as last week's victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. And then there are statement games of substance, such as Friday night's against the Chicago Bulls. While beating Kobe and Co. lifted spirits for the Heat, the lift the Heat truly needs is in the standings, where it already has lost season-series tiebreakers to the Milwaukee Bucks and Charlotte Bobcats and stands in peril of doing the same against the Toronto Raptors. Tied 1-1 with Chicago in a four-game series than concludes March 25 at the United Center, the Heat essentially is in last-chance mode when it comes to tiebreakers among the five teams battling for the final four playoff berths in the ..."
Howard says Rose injuries not his fault
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March 12
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard wasn't exactly remorseful after knocking Bulls point guard Derrick Rose out of another game with a hard foul Thursday. After knocking Rose to the court for the second time in about a month -- Rose suffered a bruised right hip Feb. 10 at the United Center and a sprained left wrist Thursday -- Howard was asked about the second hit after the Magic's 111-82 victory. 'He went up, and he fell,'' he said. ''That's all I remember.'' In fact, Howard sort of blamed Rose for both falls. ''As a big man, you never try to hurt anybody coming down the lane,'' Howard said. ''Me and Derrick are cool. I think he's a great player, a great person. You never want to see him ..."
Sprained wrist sidelines Rose
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March 12
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Entering their game Thursday against the Orlando Magic, the Bulls knew they would face an uphill climb playing without center Joakim Noah (plantar fasciitis in left foot) and small forward Luol Deng (strained muscle in right calf). But when point guard Derrick Rose went down with a sprained left wrist late in the first quarter -- courtesy again of a hard foul by Magic center Dwight Howard -- the Bulls' task went from an uphill climb to an uphill climb on a sheet of ice while carrying a piano. Needless to say, the crowd at Amway Arena -- and the national TV audience on TNT -- was subjected to three quarters of garbage time as the Magic coasted to a 111-82 victory. But for the Bulls (31-33), ..."
Injuries play havoc with Bulls rotation
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March 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"The options keep growing slimmer and slimmer for Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro. Injuries to starters Joakim Noah, Luol Deng and Derrick Rose left Del Negro with few viable personnel choices Thursday night in a 111-82 blowout loss to the Magic. At one point midway through the fourth quarter, the Bulls' lineup had Joe Alexander, Acie Law, Hakim Warrick, James Johnson and Devin Brown. The injuries have contributed to the Bulls having allowed 100 or more points in nine consecutive games. "We are No. 1 in the league in rebounding when we are healthy," Del Negro said. "That has been a big factor for us. The defensive field-goal percentage and rebounding have enabled us to win some games this ..."
Rose hurts wrist in 111-82 loss
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March 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"Don't tug on Superman's cape, and don't even think about driving the lane on the big guy. With two hands figuratively tied behind their back entering Thursday night's tough assignment against the Magic, the Bulls were blown out, predictably, 111-82 at Amway Arena. More ominously, All-Star guard Derrick Rose suffered a wrist injury that could render the Bulls without their best player indefinitely. Starters Joakim Noah (foot) and Luol Deng (calf) sat out Thursday's mismatch. Then Rose suffered an injury to his left wrist in the first period when imposing center Dwight Howard fouled him. Rose had his wrist X-rayed and reportedly had it placed in a sling. He remained in the training room and ..."
Bulls' rough road gets even rockier
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March 11
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"It appeared the Bulls hit rock bottom Tuesday as a late collapse resulted in a humiliating 132-108 loss to the Utah Jazz -- their fifth loss in a row. That dropped the Bulls to ninth place in the Eastern Conference with a tough four-game road trip on the immediate horizon. Then the Bulls got more bad news Wednesday. Forward Luol Deng is out for ''a while'' with a strained right calf, and rookie power forward Taj Gibson (plantar fasciitis in both feet) is questionable for tonight's game against the Orlando Magic. ''[Deng] has a little calf issue, a little strain,'' coach Vinny Del Negro said after an MRI exam confirmed the injury. ''We'll see how he feels, but I think he's gonna be out for ..."
Even Bulls coach admits team in deep trouble
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March 11
Chicago Tribune
 
"Give Vinny Del Negro credit for honesty — and realism. Asked Wednesday if it's conceivable with their current personnel for the Bulls to play the style they need to to have success — defend, rebound, run — the coach didn't hesitate. "No, not right now," Del Negro said. "So we're going to have to junk the game up as best we can. Maybe we can get a couple of guys with a hot hand or change up some defensive coverages. "One of the reasons we became a better defensive team throughout the year when we were healthy is we had a nice foundation to what we were doing and there was accountability. Now with the lack of bodies, we're not controlling the paint. "We've had to make adjustments. We have ..."
Luol Deng out for 'a while' with strained right calf
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March 11
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"It appeared the Bulls hit rock bottom Tuesday as a late collapse resulted in a humiliating 132-108 loss to the Utah Jazz -- their fifth loss in a row. That dropped the Bulls to ninth place in the Eastern Conference with a tough four-game road trip on the immediate horizon. Then the Bulls got more bad news Wednesday. Forward Luol Deng is out for ''a while'' with a strained right calf, and rookie power forward Taj Gibson (plantar fasciitis in both feet) is questionable for tonight's game against the Orlando Magic. ''[Deng] has a little calf issue, a little strain,'' coach Vinny Del Negro said after an MRI exam confirmed the injury. ''We'll see how he feels, but I think he's gonna be out for ..."
Deng out two games, Gibson may sit vs. Magic
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March 10
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Just when it seemed the Bulls injury woes couldn't get any worse, guess what? It got worse. The Bulls announced Wednesday that forward Luol Deng (strained right calf) will miss at least two games and could possibly be sidelined longer. Also, rookie Taj Gibson is questionable with plantar fasciitis. Gibson has been playing with the injury since training camp, but was noticeably hampered in Tuesday's loss against the Utah Jazz. He was scoreless with one rebound before fouling out in 12 minutes."
The point is, Williams, Rose special players
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March 10
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The game Tuesday between the Utah Jazz and the Bulls at the United Center featured a matchup of two of the better point guards in the NBA, and neither the Jazz's Deron Williams nor the Bulls' Derrick Rose disappointed. ''Both have great size and great athletic ability,'' Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said. ''Deron probably shoots the ball with better range right now, but Derrick probably gets to the rim a little bit better.'' Rose (10 points, 11 assists) and Williams (16 points, 10 assists) each had a double-double before halftime as the teams combined for 124 first-half points. (The Jazz led 63-61.) Williams finished with 28 points and 17 assists and Rose with 25 points and 13 assists. Both ..."
Bulls simply indefensible
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March 10
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"A string of home games usually is considered a good opportunity for an NBA team to get on a roll. But for the Bulls, their just-concluded four-game homestand had the opposite effect. With a 132-108 loss Tuesday to the Utah Jazz at the United Center, the Bulls' transformation from a confident team to a reeling bunch was complete. The 132 points allowed were a season high, and the Bulls allowed at least 105 points in each game of the homestand. ''We're not gonna win games unless we play better 'D,''' said Bulls forward Luol Deng, who played 32 minutes before leaving with a strained right calf. ''The offense is fine; we're scoring enough points. But we have to get some stops if we want to ..."
Bulls defense absent in 132-108 loss
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March 10
Chicago Tribune
 
"Two hours before Tuesday's tipoff, Joakim Noah strolled down a United Center hallway without a walking boot on his left foot for the first time in weeks. "I graduated," Noah said with a big smile. Unfortunately, the Noah-less Bulls flunked yet another defensive test in their 132-108 loss to the Jazz. Their season-high-tying five-game skid, coupled with the Bobcats' victory over the Heat, has dropped them to ninth in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Worse, the Bulls continue to display troubling defensive signs without their energetic and emotional leader. "Joakim helps us a lot, but our team defense hasn't been very good," Kirk Hinrich said. "We're getting away from what has made us ..."
Luol Deng leaves game with right calf strain, MRI scheduled for today
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March 10
Chicago Tribune
 (scroll down)
"The Bulls also lost Luol Deng to a right calf strain early in the fourth quarter. Deng, who will undergo an MRI on Wednesday, had returned from missing Monday's practice with the flu to score 14 points in 32 minutes."
Rested Bulls out to end 4-game skid
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March 9
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Bulls' string of quality opponents continues when the Utah Jazz -- 40-22 overall, 8-3 since the All-Star break -- visits the United Center tonight. But the schedule has eased up in at least one respect: the frequency of games. The Bulls have been off since Saturday and had a two-day break between games last week. They haven't played on consecutive nights since Feb. 26-27. Even though center Joakim Noah (plantar fasciitis) remains sidelined, the extra rest should help with the nagging injuries that have hampered other players lately. ''It was a pretty exciting practice today,'' point guard Derrick Rose said after the Bulls returned Monday to the Berto Center following a day off Sunday. ..."
Ex-Bull Salmons giving Bucks a nice boost
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March 9
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Rainbows swerve in the NBA -- to pots good and bad. John Salmons caught a good one last year. That was when he and Brad Miller proved to be the fated February acquisitions that helped propel the Bulls into a history-Maching playoff series against the Boston Celtics. Three weeks ago, Salmons was swatted by the books of the Bulls' anticipated high-profile free-agent hunt when he and his $6 million salary were swerved to the developing Milwaukee Bucks. Monday after practice, few could argue that Salmons appears to have caught another good one. With the Celtics due at the Bradley Center tonight, the Bucks are 9-1 since Salmons got to town. They're even catching odd spectral breaks. The most ..."
To reach playoff stage, Bulls' Warrick just get act together
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March 9
Chicago Tribune
 
"The only time Hakim Warrick tasted playoff action, his Memphis Grizzlies were swept out of the first round by the eventual Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks and the NBA changed its seeding format three months later. Back in 2006, divisional winners earned the top three seeds regardless, which is why powerhouse Dallas dropped to the fourth seed — it finished second to San Antonio in the Southwest — to face the fifth-seeded Grizzlies. "We had a good team too," Warrick said. "I want to get back to that stage. It's been a long time." If Warrick is to reach the first round again, his improved play will need to be a part of it. After an initial surge following his trade from the ..."
Unlike last season, Bulls struggling in stretch
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March 8
Chicago Tribune
 
"After 62 games last season, the Bulls owned a 28-34 record and had gone 5-4 since making a major move at the trade deadline with the acquisitions of John Salmons and Brad Miller. After 62 games this season, the Bulls are 31-31 and have gone 4-5 since making two major moves at the trade deadline to shed salary and acquire Hakim Warrick, Flip Murray, Acie Law, Joe Alexander and a future first-round pick. Similar, right? Wrong. This season has a doom-and-gloom feel to it given that the Bulls have lost four straight, including three at home, and consecutively face six more teams .500 or better in a murderous stretch. Even more daunting is all this comes at a time that Joakim Noah is sidelined ..."
Bulls can't cool off Mavs
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March 7
Daily Southtown
 
"The Bulls scored 116 points, including 36 in the fourth quarter. Those numbers have virtually assured success this season, but not Saturday night. Simply put, their defense wasn't up to the task of stopping (or even slowing) the offense of the surging Dallas Mavericks in a 122-116 loss at the United Center. ''We just had trouble stopping them all night,'' Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich said. ''We let them get going early. We didn't play very well team defense tonight and we lost because of it.'' Said Derrick Rose, who had a game-high 34 points: ''I guess we gave it our all, but they're too good of a team.'' This was a classic match-up of teams headed in opposite directions. The Bulls (31-31) ..."
Del Negro: Bench players must step up
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March 7
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"To have any chance against the surging Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night, the Bulls had to improve in several areas. Among them was the bench play. ''I think our bench has to step up and be a little bit more productive,'' Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said before the game. Specifically, the Bulls need more production than they've been getting lately from Hakim Warrick and Flip Murray. ''I just want [Warrick] and Flip to be aggressive and play the way they're capable of,'' Del Negro said. ''We need them to play well, especially coming off the bench and getting us some production and the starters some rest. They know that. They're veteran guys, and, hopefully, they'll pick it up.''"
Bulls can't put a stop to Mavs
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March 7
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Bulls scored 116 points, including 36 in the fourth quarter. Those numbers have virtually assured success this season, but not Saturday night. Simply put, their defense wasn't up to the task of stopping (or even slowing) the offense of the surging Dallas Mavericks in a 122-116 loss at the United Center. ''We just had trouble stopping them,'' Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich said. ''We let them get going early. We didn't play very good team defense, and we lost because of it.'' Said Derrick Rose, who scored 34 points: ''I guess we gave it our all, but they're too good of a team.'' This was a classic matchup of teams headed in opposite directions. The Bulls (31-31) have dropped four in a row -- ..."
Bulls defense atrocious in 122-116 loss
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March 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"With Bears coach Lovie Smith sitting in the front row, the Bulls did their best Cover-2 imitation Saturday night at the United Center. And, yes, that meant three Mavericks were open most of the game. Perhaps it only seemed that way as the Mavericks cruised to their 11th straight victory by downing the suddenly-reeling Bulls 122-116. But in falling to their fourth straight loss on a night their playoff-race partners all won, the Bulls allowed an opponent season-high-tying point amount, an opponent season-high 49 field goals and robust 56.3 percent shooting. The Bulls also routinely botched rotations — leaving Shawn Marion wide-open for layups several times — and failed to limit penetration ..."
Bulls hire Lindsey Hunter into front office
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March 6
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Chicago Bulls have given former Detroit Pistons guard Lindsey Hunter a new role, hiring him as player development assistant after waiving him earlier in the week. Hunter basically served as a mentor for the younger players during his 1 1/2 seasons with the Bulls, particularly All-Star Derrick Rose, and rarely got into games. He spent nearly 17 years in the NBA, winning championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2002 and Pistons in 2004, and was the league's oldest player at 39 when the Bulls waived him Wednesday. In a statement Friday, Hunter says the move is "a natural progression" that he hopes will help the team in the short term and in the future."
Dallas Mavericks at Chicago Bulls preview
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March 6
Dallas Morning News
 
"Scouting the Mavericks

It's their first meeting of the season with the Bulls. ... It completes their 17th set of back-to-back games this season. They are 9-7 in the second half of those situations. ... The Mavs have won 19 of their last 22 meetings with the Bulls, including eight of the last 10 in Chicago, although they did lose last season, 98-91, after leading by as many as 19 points. ... This is their last road game against the Eastern Conference. They are 11-3, including 3-1 against the Central Division.

Scouting the Bulls

They have lost three in a row, two at home. ... At 31-30, they are in the East playoff chase. The same record is well out of the West playoff hunt. ... ..."

Slide aside, Bulls refrain from panic
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March 6
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"With a 31-30 record, the Bulls are four games ahead of where they were last season after 61 games, but their momentum seems headed in the wrong direction as the stretch drive approaches. With key players out or nursing injuries and with a slew of tough opponents on the immediate horizon -- starting with the Dallas Mavericks tonight at the United Center -- the Bulls could be hard pressed to stay above .500 in the next couple of weeks. After being a season-high four games over .500, they have dropped three in a row overall and lost the first two games of the current four-game homestand, including a 105-96 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday -- a game in which the Bulls led by 17 in the ..."
Bulls face tough grind to playoffs
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March 6
Chicago Tribune
 
"As any World Series-drought-spouting Cubs fan already hunkered down in Arizona can attest, it's never too early to watch the scoreboard. So on a slow day at the Berto Center, which featured Brad Miller, Kirk Hinrich and Luol Deng skipping practice to rest general soreness and Lindsey Hunter officially assuming his player development role, what better time to break down the four Eastern Conference teams battling for the final three playoff spots? Much has been made of this brutal stretch for the Bulls, who have lost three straight and have seven more of nine straight games against teams .500 or better. That for good reason because without Joakim Noah, the Bulls aren't getting stops, ..."
Hunter waived, looks back on 'unbelievable' 17 years
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March 5
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"To make room for Chris Richard on the roster, the Bulls waived Lindsey Hunter, ending the veteran guard's 17-year NBA career, although he will remain with the organization. ''Unbelievable,'' Hunter said when asked to describe his career. ''Never in a million years would I have thought I would play as long as I have. It was truly a blessing for me. Every situation I've been in has been great for me. I never looked back at one situation to say I regret anything.'' At 39, Hunter was the oldest player in the league before the move, a fact he took great pride in. ''I don't think I look old,'' he said. ''But I am the oldest, so it's an honor for me because I never thought that would be the case ..."
Bulls hit trouble spot
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March 5
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Less than a week ago, things were looking up for the Bulls. They were among the hottest teams in the NBA, were a season-high four games over .500 and were approaching a rare 10-day stretch without a road game. But six days and three losses later, they are suddenly reeling. There's no other way to put it after the Bulls blew a 17-point first-half lead in a 105-96 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies Thursday night at the United Center. This was a game where the absence of starting center Joakim Noah (plantar fasciitis of left foot) was a glaring hole. The Bulls face a challenging schedule the rest of the month -- starting Saturday against the red-hot Dallas Mavericks -- short handed. Suddenly, ..."
Bulls grasp for ways to maintain rebounding edge
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March 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bulls still lead the league in rebounding, although their lead over the second-place Lakers has dwindled. And nobody will be surprised if that slips with Joakim Noah sidelined at least three weeks. This is where Noah's absence will be felt most. "We have to gang rebound," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "Our guards have to get long rebounds. We don't have much length up front with Joakim out. Derrick (Rose) can get rebounds with his athletic ability. We can't give teams second opportunities. And we have to get out on the break." To underscore how important this category is to the Bulls' success, they are 24-10 when they outrebound their opponent. "It's kind of depressing knowing a guy ..."
Bulls collapse in 4th, lose 105-96
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March 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"Brad Miller's attempt at rhythm during celebratory gyrations following his third-quarter dunk had to be seen to be believed, or at least described. Patrick Kane leaving his courtside seat to borrow Benny the Bull's minibike and rev the engine and lifeless United Center crowd during a fourth-quarter timeout ranked up there in unexpected sights as well. But for pure can-you-top-this theatrics, the Bulls blowing a 17-point lead and succumbing meekly to the Grizzlies 105-96 Thursday night stole the show. That sound you hear is the life slowly ebbing out of the Bulls now that they have lost three straight games, lost Joakim Noah for at least three weeks and face seven more consecutive games ..."