Chicago Bulls Trade Rumors

Thomas' Bulls time likely about finished
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February 9
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Forget his profanity-laced tirade at Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro after the game on Friday in Atlanta for a moment. The biggest sign that Tyrus Thomas is utterly clueless was that he chose that game -- one of his worst with the team -- to explode and whine about playing time. That he expected more minutes despite his selfish and undisciplined play in the 91-81 loss to the Hawks speaks volumes about Thomas' mentality. He's delusional about his value as a player and his importance to the team. Whether he's dealt before the Feb. 18 trade deadline or let go this summer when he becomes a restricted free agent, Thomas' days with the Bulls are numbered. Too many in the organization have grown ..."
Noah could be sidelined for several weeks
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February 8
Chicago Sun-Times
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"The Bulls were without forward Tyrus Thomas, who was suspended by the team for one game for unspecified ''conduct detrimental to the team,'' and Noah, who's shut down with plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Noah was in the locker room after Saturday's game and said he had blood from his arm injected into his ailing foot Friday morning -- a procedure which could sideline the Bulls' leading rebounder for several weeks. He was wearing a boot and limping but said he still hopes to return soon after the All-Star break."
Bulls will say ta-ta after another Thomas tirade
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February 8
Chicago Tribune
 
""You don't lose your starting job to injury" is one of the older clichés in sports, which, sadly, "a Tyrus Thomas team-imposed suspension" is becoming too. Following Thomas' verbal tirade at coach Vinny Del Negro on Friday in Atlanta, that's three disciplinary actions taken by management in four seasons for Thomas, the soon-to-be former Bull. Whether the Bulls find a taker for the forward by the Feb. 18 trade deadline or simply renounce his rights this summer, Thomas either will or won't reach his tantalizing potential elsewhere. The Bulls will say the steady play of rookie Taj Gibson is why Thomas is no longer the starting power forward after missing seven weeks with a fractured radius in ..."
Joe Johnson downplays free agent talk
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February 6
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bulls' dream scenario is to clear enough salary-cap space to sign two high-level free agents this summer or, at the very least, sign one and orchestrate a sign-and-trade for another. Hawks All-Star guard Joe Johnson, one of said top-tier free agents, claimed such bold planning won't affect his decision-making process. "It's possible for a team to do that, but that's nothing I think about when I think about my decision," Johnson said. In fact, with the Hawks' success, Johnson said he thinks more about June (read: NBA Finals) than July (read: free agency) anyway. "I'm trying to do what's right and keep the focus on the team," Johnson said. "When July comes, I'll worry more about free ..."
Big trade is unlikely for Lakers
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February 4
Los Angeles Times
 
"The trade deadline is two weeks from today, meaning 14 more days of rumors and whispers, but the Lakers are not expected to be big players in the market. They have the NBA's second-best record, the league's highest payroll and do not plan on moving any of their starters or sixth man Lamar Odom. "There is no compelling reason to dramatically change this team, in particular its core," Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak said. "We won a championship last year and we feel like we can be as strong this year with the one change we made -- the Ron Artest change. "If this is the team we go into the playoffs with, we'll be happy with our roster, provided we stay healthy. The caveat, as always, is ..."
Slow down on Stoudemire-to-Bulls rumors
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January 27
Chicago Tribune
 
"Last year, the rumors that Amare Stoudemire would be traded were unexpected and, ultimately, Phoenix opted not to make a financial purge. This season, they are expected, although recent talk of the Bulls being strongly interested should be tempered. The Arizona Republic reported recently the Suns are amping up efforts to deal the All-Star power forward, mindful that attempts to reach a deal on a long-term contract extension haven't gone far. The newspaper reported Golden State, Minnesota and Cleveland have shown interest in Stoudemire, but noted that the forward's ability to opt out to become a free agent and not re-sign with any team he is traded to could serve as a deterrent."
Gray trade could set stage for another deal
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January 26
Daily Herald
 
"By trading center Aaron Gray to New Orleans for veteran guard Devin Brown on Monday, the Bulls are clearly hoping to move John Salmons or Kirk Hinrich before the Feb. 18 trade deadline. The idea is to trade one of those guards for an expiring contract and create even more cap room to pursue free agents this summer. Such a deal won't be easy, because few teams are willing to take on add salary to their payrolls right now, two sources confirmed. The 7-foot Gray has barely played this season after recovering from a stress fracture in his leg. A second-round draft pick in 2007, he did have some strong moments in his first season and a half with the Bulls."
Tyrus Thomas may return to Chicago Bulls' starting lineup
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January 14
Chicago Tribune
 
"Maybe Tyrus Thomas will start after all. The Bulls disclosed Tuesday that rookie forward Taj Gibson has been battling plantar fasciitis in his left foot for much of this season and visited a team physician for treatment after missing Tuesday's practice. Though the injury isn't considered serious, coach Vinny Del Negro said Gibson's availability for Thursday's game in Boston would be determined later. "He's feeling better, but the plantar fasciitis has bothered him and he needs some treatment," Del Negro said. "He just really irritated it the other night in a game." If Gibson is sidelined, Thomas would reclaim the starting power forward spot he basically lost to injury and Gibson's steady ..."
Good news for Rose? AI could sit out All-Star game
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January 9
Chicago Tribune
 
"Does this open the door for the Bulls' Derrick Rose? 76ers guard Allen Iverson could skip the All-Star game if he's voted an Eastern Conference starter because of his arthritic left knee. Iverson is second in voting behind Miami's Dwyane Wade for East guards. Iverson says he would "absolutely" attend the Feb. 14 at Arlington, Texas."
Hot seat cooling off just a little for Vinny
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January 2
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Before the calendar flipped to 2010, Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro was asked to sum up what was a tumultuous 2009 for him. ''Let's just say it was an interesting year,'' he said. Not many people thought Del Negro would survive into 2010, but he did -- and the Bulls bring a three-game winning streak into tonight's game against the Orlando Magic as they begin to push the issue of Del Negro's job status to the back burner. ''We are getting our confidence now,'' center Joakim Noah said. ''It feels good to win three in a row. Obviously, [tonight] is gonna be a good test against one of the best teams in the NBA.'' Playing the Magic also will be a big test for Noah, who has been a double-double ..."
Bulls' Del Negro won't campaign for job
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January 1
Chicago Tribune
 
"Asked yet another round of questions about his job status in the wake of reports from the Tribune and Yahoo! Sports that management's lack of support upset him, Vinny Del Negro refused to self-promote. "That's not my decision," the Bulls coach said when asked if felt he deserved to finish his three-year contract. "It's easy for me to make that decision, but it's not mine. I have a lot of confidence not only in myself, but I think my staff has done a tremendous job. "They're very experienced and have been around. I'm going to keep on making sure we're prepared. Get these young guys continually developing and try to move in the right direction.""
Reality sinking in for Vinny Del Negro
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December 31
Chicago Tribune
 
"After virtually every home game, Bulls general manager Gar Forman and coach Vinny Del Negro share a debriefing in Del Negro's office. Tuesday night's lasted far longer than usual. When Del Negro finally emerged to hold his postgame news conference, his typical upbeat nature was missing, replaced by a palpable gloominess despite a solid victory over the Pacers. The reason was simple: Forman's lack of public support in pregame comments forced Del Negro into a most sobering realization. He won't finish his three-year contract as Bulls coach. Despite multiple media outlets reporting that likelihood, Del Negro clung to a belief that management would notice development of young players like ..."
Forman gives Del Negro tepid support
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December 30
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Before the game Tuesday against the Pacers at the United Center, Bulls general manager Gar Forman tried to mitigate the media frenzy over coach Vinny Del Negro's job status. ''Vinny is our coach,'' Forman said. ''Our goal is to get better each and every day. We as a management team are exploring all options to get better. We expect our coaches to work each and every day to get this team better.'' Even though such proclamations are basically meaningless, Forman was pressed about whether he'd give Del Negro ''a vote of confidence'' by committing that he would finish the season. ''I feel we shouldn't talk about evaluations with any personnel that we do internally,'' Forman said. ''We are all ..."
John Salmons' contract could affect Bulls' options for 2010 free agents
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December 30
Chicago Tribune
 
"It's impossible to definitively predict the Bulls' salary cap situation for next summer, but one very important moving part is John Salmons' player option. Should Salmons exercise his $6.7 million option, the speculation is the Bulls wouldn't be able to offer a maximum contract to any of the big names in the most decorated free agent class in NBA history. That isn't entirely accurate. But if Salmons opts in, achieving that optimum financial flexibility becomes more difficult and might involve renouncing the rights to restricted free agent Tyrus Thomas. "I didn't even know my situation had that big an impact and don't look at the numbers like that," Salmons said. This marked the first time ..."
Bulls decline to address Del Negro's future
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December 29
Chicago Tribune
 
"On the same day Pacers president Larry Bird supported embattled coach Jim O'Brien, Bulls management declined to address Vinny Del Negro's future as speculation continues to swirl. That left Del Negro, who matches wits against O'Brien on Tuesday, to fend for himself after an ESPN.com report claiming the Bulls contacted Doug Collins recently about the coaching position. "Oh yeah, absolutely," Del Negro said when asked if he felt he had management's support. "I talk to them every day. But when you ask those questions, it's easy for me to say that. Go ask those guys." Through a team spokesman, general manager Gar Forman declined to address reporters. "I know we're on the same page," Del Negro ..."
Del Negro firing closer
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December 28
ESPN.com
 
"The decision to fire head coach Vinny Del Negro has already been made, according to sources with knowledge of the Chicago Bulls' thinking. The fact that the Bulls' front office has not been able to settle on a replacement is the main thing keeping the embattled Del Negro employed, the sources said. There were discussions recently within the organization about having John Paxson, Chicago's executive vice president of basketball operations, take over the team, but Paxson ultimately decided against it. Then, according to sources, Chicago contacted former Bulls coach Doug Collins, a candidate for the job two years ago when Del Negro was hired, but Collins was not interested in coaching the ..."
For starters, Bulls' Hinrich and Gibson get the call
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December 25
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Although some media members anticipated it -- and some fans wished for it -- there was no news conference Thursday at the Berto Center to announce another Christmas Eve massacre. Vinny Del Negro is still the Bulls' coach despite the team's dismal 10-17 record. But there were two fairly significant news items after practice: Tyrus Thomas will return to the active roster Saturday against the New Orleans Hornets exactly seven weeks after surgery to repair a fractured radius in his left forearm. Also, Del Negro announced that the lineup changes he made for the second half of the game Tuesday in New York will remain in effect. ''Where we're at warrants, I think, some type of change,'' Del ..."
Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro survives Christmas Eve; but he still better watch out
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December 25
Chicago Tribune
 columnist David Haugh
"Merry Christmas, Vinny Del Negro. Enjoy the gift of employment from the Bulls. Just so you know, John Paxson is keeping the receipt in case he decides later he would like to exchange you for, say, a Maurice Cheeks or Byron Scott. Only if they are all out of Jeff Van Gundy, the coach most likely to come with a playoff guarantee. Del Negro survived the Christmas Eve holiday that two times this decade has coincided with the firing of a Bulls head coach. But it would be surprising if Del Negro's heart isn't broken by Valentine's Day. You don't even have to watch the Bulls anymore to sense that the inevitable and necessary change is coming next week or next month. All you have to do is listen. ..."
Jackson recalls Pax's brief stint as a coach
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December 16
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"With the Bulls struggling and speculation swirling about the future of coach Vinny Del Negro, vice president John Paxson was mentioned as a possible candidate for the job if a change is made in-season. Paxson has been in the Bulls' front office since 2003, but his first job in the organization (other than as a broadcaster) was as an assistant for former Bulls coach Phil Jackson during the 1995-96 season. ''I wanted him to be in coaching,'' Jackson said of Paxson before his current team, the Los Angeles Lakers, faced the Bulls on Tuesday at the United Center. ''[Paxson] felt he was a little too combative for that and didn't want that side of his personality to come out. He quit after ..."
Tyrus Thomas to practice as early as Friday
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December 16
Chicago Tribune
 
"Tyrus Thomas said last week he hoped to be cleared for contact by this weekend. Now, the Bulls are confirming it. Coach Vinny Del Negro said Thomas could begin practicing as early as Friday. The starting power forward has been sidelined six weeks following surgery to repair a fractured radius in his left forearm. "He has been doing some non-contact stuff and feels good," Del Negro said. "We've missed Tyrus' athleticism and his ability to come across and block shots and defend." On second thought ... Pressed early Tuesday, Ron Artest admitted he didn't drink alcohol during games as a Bull as he claimed in a recent interview. Artest said he occasionally drank before games but said the ..."
Coach says brass knows what staff is trying to do
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December 11
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"With each loss, the Bulls' slide becomes more pronounced and the speculation about the job security of coach Vinny Del Negro intensifies. So it should come as no surprise that Del Negro's session with the media after practice Thursday at the Berto Center was dominated by talk of his future and how much blame for the team's recent play should land on his shoulders. Specifically, the second-year coach was asked if he believed he had the support of management. ''You guys worry about that stuff; I don't,'' he said in an energetic tone. ''I talk to Gar [Forman, the Bulls' general manager] every day. They understand how hard the staff's working and what we're trying to do. ''That's all you can ..."
Despite another blowout, Chicago Bulls coach appears safe
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December 10
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bulls' 118-83 loss Wednesday night to the Hawks at Philips Arena will do nothing to quiet the disgruntled fans asking for Vinny Del Negro's head. That's nine losses in 10 games, seven of them blowouts and one to the team with the league's worst record. Only the Bulls coach, general manager Gar Forman and executive vice president of basketball operations John Paxson know what is said behind closed doors about Del Negro's job status. Del Negro described their daily talks about the state of the team as positive. And though the season's worst loss can make things fluid, a coaching change doesn't appear imminent. Forman and Paxson know the Bulls' roster, which carried only 12 healthy ..."
Harrington may stick as starter
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December 7
New York Post
 
"Al Harrington may be off the trading block and back in the starting lineup for good, replacing Danilo Gallinari. Knicks president Donnie Walsh said before the Knicks' 106-97 victory over the Nets yesterday that Harrington is not being shopped despite the whispers his ouster could allow prospects Gallinari and Wilson Chandler to grow quicker. Harrington is making a big case to stay after scorching the Nets for 26 points, 14 rebounds and five assists yesterday, an encore to his 25-point first half in Atlanta. "I'm not focused on trading Al," Walsh said. "I'm not out there trying to trade Al." The Bulls would love to pry Harrington from the Knicks for their young power-forward stud Tyrus ..."
Knicks not interested in trading Harrington for Tyrus
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December 6
New York Post
 columnist Peter Vecsey
"The mind boggles and the mouse Googles: A comedic acquaintance, poetically licensed to twist the truth, finds it incredulous the Knicks supposedly would consider swapping essentially Al Harrington for Tyrus Thomas. "The Bulls knew Eddy Curry was a bum. They knew Tyson Chandler was a high-energy, injury-prone bum. Why would anyone want Tyrus? The Bulls may not be good at drafting players, but, for the most part, they have a pretty good bum detector." Knowing Donnie Walsh's soft spot for Harrington almost matches his weakness for butter (this is their third nuptial), I can't fathom there being any truth whatsoever to the report. In fact, there's absolutely no truth to it. The Bulls may want ..."
Knicks explore trade for Bulls forward Thomas
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December 5
New York Post
 
"When Donnie Walsh passed on Allen Iverson last month, the Knicks president talked about potential moves the team could make that fit into their long-range plan. Enter the athletic young 6-foot-10 forward Tyrus Thomas. Donnie Walsh recently held discussions with the Bulls about his availability, according to a Knicks source. The Bulls are shopping Thomas and have interest in Knicks leading scorer Al Harrington, according to a team official. Thomas has a broken arm and will not return for about two weeks, so talks have not been serious. Though acquiring Thomas is one of the things on Walsh's radar, there is a debate within the organization about giving up Harrington. Thomas, 23, will be a ..."
Hinrich still out
Comment
December 5
Chicago Sun-Times
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"Barring a miraculous improvement in his sprained left thumb overnight, Hinrich won't play against the Toronto Raptors tonight at the United Center. The injury really hasn't gotten any better in the last few days. ''I can shoot, but I can't do anything other than that,'' Hinrich said. ''Just spreading [his hand] hurts and I can't catch the ball or handle it."
Chicago Bulls exploring trade of Tyrus Thomas
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December 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"Tyrus Thomas' fractured radius in his left forearm likely will delay any conclusion to trade talks surrounding the fourth-year forward. Thomas is one to two weeks away from returning, which is why nothing is imminent regarding talks between the Bulls and Knicks. Two league sources told the Tribune the Bulls have had discussions with other teams regarding Thomas as well. There's no guarantee Thomas will be dealt, but the larger story is the Bulls' acknowledgment of their offensive struggles. Al Harrington, involved in the Knicks' talks, is a much more accomplished scorer (19.9 points per game) than Thomas (8.3). The Bulls have languished near the bottom of many offensive categories all ..."
Bulls engaged in Tyrus Thomas talks
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December 4
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bulls have held discussions about trading Tyrus Thomas to the Knicks, according to a league source. Yahoo! Sports first reported the talks, which, for now, have centered upon Thomas and the expiring contract of Jerome James for the $10 million expiring contract of Al Harrington. The Knicks are trying to keep Harrington and make the deal work with other players, the league source said. The Bulls long have admired Harrington's game. And trading Thomas would preclude the Bulls from making the decision of whether or not to place an approximately $13 million salary cap hold on his services at a time when they might be trying to optimize salary cap space for the 2010 free agent class."
Pargo's aches a pain
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December 4
Chicago Tribune
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"Jannero Pargo missed practice Thursday to visit a hip specialist in Philadelphia. Though Pargo will meet the team in Cleveland, his availability could be limited as he battles effects from offseason surgery to repair a sports hernia. "He has had tightening of his back and hip," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "It has been bothering him since the beginning. "He has been fighting through it with the lack of bodies that we've had, and I've appreciated that. But we need to get him healthy. When he starts to run, it locks up on him.""
Bulls weigh trade options for Thomas
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December 4
Yahoo! Sports
 
"So far, NBA general managers are still passing judgment on their own teams, evaluating needs and slowly, surely feeling out the market. The February trade deadline is more than two months away, but conversations are beginning to gather momentum. For starters, multiple league executives believe the Chicago Bulls' shopping of forward Tyrus Thomas(notes) could result with him moving sooner than later. As Thomas has rehabbed a broken forearm, the Bulls have had discussions with several teams, but perhaps none as serious as the ongoing dialogue general manager Gar Forman has had with New York Knicks president Donnie Walsh. Several sources believe the Bulls are agreeable to a package of Thomas ..."
Bulls weigh trade options for Thomas
Comment
December 4
Yahoo! Sports
 
"So far, NBA general managers are still passing judgment on their own teams, evaluating needs and slowly, surely feeling out the market. The February trade deadline is more than two months away, but conversations are beginning to gather momentum. For starters, multiple league executives believe the Chicago Bulls' shopping of forward Tyrus Thomas could result with him moving sooner than later. As Thomas has rehabbed a broken forearm, the Bulls have had discussions with several teams, but perhaps none as serious as the ongoing dialogue general manager Gar Forman has had with New York Knicks president Donnie Walsh."
Chicago Bulls coach insists team has enough weapons
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December 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bulls keep looking for Mr. Big Shot. They will see him Wednesday night, but he won't be wearing a Bulls jersey. Their leading scorer from last season is averaging 19.8 points per game for the Pistons now. He will face his former teammates at the United Center, sprained left ankle permitting, for the first time as a member of the Pistons. "We have enough weapons to make shots at the end," said coach Vinny Del Negro, who has been searching for the right weapon during the Bulls five-game losing streak. "It's just a matter of setting better screens, getting better spacing and execution." Not Miller time: The Bulls had an opportunity to send Monday night's game in Milwaukee to overtime, but ..."
Hinrich hopes to be back by Saturday
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December 1
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Bulls announced Monday that guard Kirk Hinrich would be sidelined 1-2 weeks after three doctors examined his sprained left thumb. Hinrich, who suffered the injury Wednesday during practice in Portland, Ore., was examined by team physician Brian Cole and hand specialists John Fernandez and Marc Cohen of Midwest Orthopedics at Rush University Medical Center. 'They said it could be a full two weeks before it starts to feel better,'' Hinrich said before the Bulls played the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center. ''They told me they want me to wear the splint off the court for two months. Basically, they just said it was a Grade 2 sprain.'' Hinrich said he hopes he's well enough to play ..."
Hinrich Sits Out Practice With Sprained Thumb
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November 29
Yahoo! Sports
 
"Chicago Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich(notes) missed practice Saturday with a sprained left thumb and remains doubtful for Monday's game in Milwaukee, the Chicago Tribune reported. Hinrich sat out Thursday's game in Utah after injuring his thumb in practice the day before."
Hinrich sits for Bulls with thumb injury
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November 27
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bulls have tipped off against the Utah Jazz and they are playing without key backup Kirk Hinrich. The guard injured his left thumb in a physical practice Wednesday and will be evaluated Friday in Chicago. The Bulls' depth was bolstered by the return of center Aaron Gray.Gray has not played a game this season since suffering a stress fracture in his left leg."
Tyrus Thomas out at least another two weeks
Comment
November 24
Chicago Tribune
 
"Analyze the Bulls all you want. Break down how they take the third-fewest 3-pointers in the league, how their defense is improved, how their half-court offense too often bogs down into standing around or pounding the ball. But what this season hinges on, as much as anything, is plain and simple effort. That's why Vinny Del Negro's uncharacteristically stinging rebuke late Saturday rang so true. And why following Sunday's film session and practice, the coach didn't back off. "I didn't like the way we approached the finish of that game," Del Negro said. "Our effort wasn't good enough." With still no true superstar to pass the ball to when things are stagnant offensively, the Bulls must rely ..."
Bulls bide time, wait for 2010 free-agent class
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November 22
Chicago Tribune
 
"This isn't just any circus trip for the Bulls, it's the 10-year anniversary of their first after Michael Jordan left ... when they went 0-7 ... starting their five-year, 0-32 run. Of course, their last five were way better (9-24) showing they're on their way back. Of course, at this rate it may take a while. This is no go-for-broke organization, but which one in Chicago ever was? The town always has belonged to the owners, as fans picked up the pieces of their broken hearts and supported Phil Wrigley, William Wirtz, the McCaskeys and, uh, fans. Even while fading, the Bulls were No. 1 in the NBA in attendance over the last 10 years. Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf is arch-loyal but risk-averse. ..."
Ankle injury continues to slow Rose
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November 20
Yahoo! Sports
 
"The lane opened, and suddenly Derrick Rose(notes) was bolting toward the rim. Surely, the Chicago Bulls' young point guard would deliver a highlight to remember, a soaring dunk, maybe even a vicious one-handed flush like the one he memorably threw down on Leandro Barbosa(notes) last season. Not on this night. Rose instead opted to coast toward the basket for an easy layup, looking far more like John Stockton than Michael Jordan. The truth is Rose has yet to dunk at all this season. "The times I've attempted to I was barely getting up," he said. "So I will just say it was a high layup." A sprained right ankle Rose suffered early in the preseason has limited him. Three weeks into the ..."
Bulls' Tyrus Thomas breaks left forearm
Comment
November 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"Back on Sept. 25, Tyrus Thomas wore a smile as wide as the lane and carried buoyancy in his voice that anybody attending the first day of Bulls training camp could hear. "I think this is going to be a great season for me and the team," Thomas said then. That still could be true, but Thomas' star-crossed season hit a substantial bump Friday. The fourth-year forward fractured the radius in his left forearm while performing pull-ups in the weightlifting portion of practice. X-rays confirmed the fracture and team physicians will perform surgery on Thomas Saturday at Rush University Medical Center. The Bulls said Thomas will miss four to six weeks, which would represent 13 to 20 games. "It's ..."
Thomas out with fracture
Comment
November 7
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Tyrus Thomas' week from hell took a dramatic turn for the worse on Friday when the enigmatic Bulls power forward suffered a fractured radius of the left forearm during a weightlifting session at the Berto Center. Thomas, who was sent home two days earlier in the week because of the flu, was scheduled to undergo surgery today and is expected to be sidelined from four to six weeks. ''We are disappointed to lose Tyrus,'' general manager Gar Forman said. ''This will be an opportunity for Taj [Gibson] and James [Johnson] to get valuable experience.'' Power forward is one of the deeper positions on the team. Besides the two rookies, Brad Miller, Joakim Noah and even small forward Luol Deng can ..."
Thomas ill again, likely to miss Cavaliers game
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November 5
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Tyrus Thomas showed up at the Berto Center before practice Wednesday but was still sick and was sent home for a second straight day. He didn't accompany the team when it departed for Cleveland on Wednesday afternoon. Although it seems highly unlikely, there's a remote chance he could travel on his own today and join the team in time for the game with the Cleveland Cavaliers. ''He's at home,'' coach Vinny Del Negro said after practice. ''He'll see the doctor [Wednesday] and [today], and then we'll re-evaluate and see if he can fly to Cleveland. ''But he's pretty sick still. He's got the flu, sore throat, the whole thing.''"
Dwyane Wade to Bulls speculation never-ending
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November 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"Dwyane Wade thanked Heat fans in a brief pregame speech and later dissed the United Center rims, so he's staying in South Florida for sure, right? Such silly speculation will exist until July 1, when Wade will become an unrestricted free agent. "That's a long way away," Wade said. "When we get there, we'll see. Right now, I'm focused on my team and getting better here in Miami." Wade has faced media from New York and Chicago -- two teams with projected salary cap space next summer -- and, at least on Sunday, clearly is having fun with the situation. "I really don't love the rims there," Wade said of the United Center. "But I've had some good games there too." Wade said he's oblivious to ..."
New Chicago Bulls GM plans to travel more with team
Comment
October 29
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Fred Mitchell
"Bulls general manager Gar Forman has two messages for his players as their season tips off Thursday night at the United Center against the Spurs: Play better defense, and be accountable for your actions on and off the court. "We have to improve defensively as a team if we are going to advance," he said. "And accountability is something that has been stressed." Forman, who took over as the team's GM in May when John Paxson relinquished the title, says he plans to keep a close eye on the entire operation. In fact, he intends to travel with the team on most, if not all of the trips. "The reasons are two-fold. First of all, I want to be around the team, I want to be around the players and I ..."
Rose practices, expects to play in opener
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October 26
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Bulls returned to practice Sunday after a day off essentially at full strength -- if you discount Aaron Gray and Jerome James, who will be out for a while -- for the first time in 3½ weeks. Derrick Rose (ankle), Kirk Hinrich (left elbow) and Jannero Pargo (back) all participated in the entire session after sitting out the preseason finale Friday. ''Let's see how they feel in the morning, but we had a full group, which was great,'' coach Vinny Del Negro said. ''We're focused on getting the guys that have been out a while, especially Derrick, back on the same page and get them in better shape. ''We've got to have four productive days. We're going against San Antonio opening night and ..."
Chicago Bulls' 'sexy' Derrick Rose returns to practice
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October 23
Chicago Tribune
 
"Here's a sentence never before written on the Bulls' beat: Supermodel Marisa Miller said Thursday that guard Derrick Rose has "long eyelashes and gorgeous eyes." But the sexiest part of Rose's body for Bulls fans was a healthier right ankle, specifically the posterior tibialis tendon. Rose returned to participate in the first 40 minutes of the Bulls' 2 1/2 -hour practice, his first action since suffering the injury in the Oct. 2 exhibition opener at Indiana. His availability for the exhibition finale against the Wizards will be determined after Friday's morning shootaround. "I felt good," Rose said. "I was kind of mad they took me off kind of early. But they were looking out for me and ..."
Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose could miss season opener
Comment
October 20
Chicago Tribune
 
"Coach Vinny Del Negro created a stir late Monday when, for the first time, he said it's possible the inflamed tendon behind Derrick Rose's right ankle could keep the guard out of the Oct. 29 season opener against San Antonio. "Yes, it is in the realm of possibility," Del Negro said. "I hope it isn't. But yes, it's a concern." Posed the exact question last Friday, Del Negro had said that wasn't a possibility. Reminded of this, Del Negro backtracked a bit. "I don't think he will (miss the opener)," Del Negro said. "But I thought he would be back the other day." Rose ran and shot jumpers for the second straight day, placed his health at "80 percent" and said there's "no way" he'd miss the ..."
Rose, Thomas still day-to-day
Comment
October 13
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Because the injuries to Derrick Rose and Tyrus Thomas have lingered longer than initially expected, everyone -- reporters, coaches and players -- is finding new ways to ask and answer the same questions on a daily basis. After Monday's practice at the Berto Center, coach Vinny Del Negro was asked if Thomas ''did anything today.'' ''He didn't practice,'' Del Negro said. ''He had breakfast and did a few other things.'' Rim shot, please. Both players were injured in the Bulls' first preseason game on Oct. 2 and were listed as day-to-day. Neither is expected to play tonight when the Bulls face the Milwaukee Bucks at the United Center. With more than two weeks to go before the regular-season ..."
Derrick Rose may miss Bulls' exhibition game in London
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October 6
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bulls' Vinny Del Negro sounded very much like a coach thinking long term Monday when he hinted at sitting Derrick Rose out of Tuesday's exhibition game against the Jazz at London's O2 Arena. If that's the case, Del Negro might want to leave Rose and his sore right Achilles' tendon and ankle back at the team hotel. If he doesn't, kicking and screaming might ensue. "I know it's just a preseason game, but I still want to win," Rose said. "I mean, when I hurt it in the Indiana game, I should've sat out. But the game was too close, so I stayed in." There's a fine line between competitiveness and shortsightedness, though, and even Rose conceded the injury is severely limiting him. "The pain ..."