RealGM Basketball Wiretap

Derrick Rose Has Confidence Back In Workouts

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:29:44 EDT

Derrick Rose missed the entire 2012-13 season as he recovered from his torn ACL, but Tom Thibodeau said he is beginning to feel like himself again.

"I worked him out about a week ago," Thibodeau said on Thursday. "It was great."

The Chicago Bulls reached the second round of the NBA Playoffs without Rose.

"Watching the way he's moving now, there's a confidence," Thibodeau said. "(Reporters) may not have been able to see the total work he was putting in. But he was putting in an enormous amount of work each and every day. He just never got to the explosiveness he was comfortable with. I think he's there now. He feels great, and that's the most important thing."

Rose was medically cleared in mid-February and practiced in 5-on-5 situations while also working out pre-game.

"The kid was being totally honest," Thibodeau said. "At the end of the day, you have to respect that. He wanted to be out there very badly. But no one knew when he would be ready, including him. It was a smart decision to wait. If you're not quite sure, and you're going to err, err on the side of caution. That's what he did. And now he feels great."

Grizzlies Receive Permission To Interview Ed Pinckney

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:21:18 EDT

The Memphis Grizzlies have received permission to interview Ed Pinckney for their head coaching position, according to sources.

Pinckney is an assistant with the Chicago Bulls and was previously with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Grizzlies have also spoken with George Karl and Alvin Gentry on the phone, while Dave Joerger will also be interviewed.

Lionel Hollins will not return to the Grizzlies next season.

Paxson: Bulls 'Need To Be More Detailed And In-Depth' With Players

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 19:18:45 EDT

After a season Derrick Rose sat out with a torn ACL and Kirk Hinrich and Luol Deng missed critical playoff games, John Paxson thinks the Chicago Bulls' organization must be more connected in the health of its players.

"We need to be more detailed and in-depth with our guys," Paxson said. "Our training staff is terrific and our medical people are outstanding. I do think that a guy like (Luol Deng) doesn't have commitments this summer, Derrick's had the year to improve his body and will be working out all summer. Our guys know how to work the right way.

"We have to be confident we're putting things in place where we'll be healthy next year."

Bulls management says Rose and Hinrich have been working out, rest is helping Joakim Noah's plantar fasciitis and Deng has enough strength to travel throughout Europe.

Thibodeau, Monty Williams Join USA Basketball As Assistants

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:24:16 EDT

Tom Thibodeau and Monty Williams will join the coaching staff of USA Basketball.

Thibodeau and Williams will replace Mike D'Antoni and Nate McMillan, while Jim Boeheim will be a carryover on the staff of Mike Krzyzewski.

The next cycle of play begins in 2014 with the World Cup of Basketball.

Dwayne Davis To Work Out For Six NBA Teams

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 14:30:20 EDT

Dwayne Davis, the draft prospect out of Southern Miss, has scheduled workouts for six NBA teams and interests those organizations as a possible second round pick, a source told RealGM.

Davis will work out for the Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks and a sixth team that could sign the 6-foot-5 guard if he falls out of this month’s draft.

After averaging 16 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 41.3 percent from three-point range in his senior season at Southern Miss, Davis stood out in the pre-draft’s Portsmouth Invitational, earning workout opportunities despite not participating in the combine.

Davis, 23, grew up as a homeless child, living through foster care and looking after his siblings.

Nate Robinson Would Welcome Return To Knicks

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 20:19:16 EDT

Nate Robinson would be open to returning to the New York Knicks, according to his agent, Aaron Goodwin.

"Nate's first thought would be to remain with the Bulls, but if the Knicks' opportunity presented itself, I am sure he would appreciate an opportunity to play in New York again," Goodwin said.

Goodwin will likely seek a mid-level contract for Robinson, who will be an unrestricted free agent come July 1.

Robinson was drafted by the Knicks in 2005.

Bulls Likely To Target Defensive-Minded Players In Draft

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 12:15:28 EDT

The Chicago Bulls will likely take a defensive-minded player in the first or second round of the NBA draft later this month.

Gorgui Dieng, Steven Adams and Jeff Withey have been floated as potential targets.

The Bulls own the 20th and 49th overall picks.

21 NBA Teams To Compete In 2013 Vegas Summer League

Wed, 29 May 2013 13:52:37 EDT

The 2013 Vegas Summer League will be comprised of 22 teams and run from July 12 to July 22.

Atlanta Hawks (2010-12)
Charlotte Bobcats (2008, 2012)
Chicago Bulls (2005, 2009-12)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2004-12)
Dallas Mavericks (2005-12)
Denver Nuggets (2004-12)
Golden State Warriors (2005-12)
L.A. Clippers (2005-12)
L.A. Lakers (2007-12)
Memphis Grizzlies (2007-12)
Miami Heat (2010-12)
Milwaukee Bucks (2007-12)
Minnesota Timberwolves (2006-12)
NBA D-League Select (2009-12)
New Orleans Pelicans (2005-12)
New York Knicks (2005-12)
Phoenix Suns (2004-12)
Portland Trail Blazers (2005-12)
Sacramento Kings (2005-12)
San Antonio Spurs (2007-12)
Toronto Raptors (2008-12)
Washington Wizards (2004-12)

Bulls To Map Out If Derrick Rose Will Play Pickup Games In Offseason

Mon, 27 May 2013 17:39:37 EDT

The Chicago Bulls and Derrick Rose have yet to determine whether Rose will participate in any pickup games with fellow NBA players in the offseason, when the former NBA MVP spends his time in California.

"We are in the process of sitting down and meeting with Derrick and his representatives and mapping out his offseason," John Paxson said on Sunday. "... We're going to map it all out and make sure everyone is on the same page.

"Whatever he's going to in terms of playing, that's to be determined. But the biggest thing is that he feels the knee is strong and safe and all the things that make him comfortable. I think every day that goes by, he feels better about it and that's all we're concerned about."

Paxson has been most impressed with how strong Rose has gotten and believes the added strength has improved Rose's outside shooting.

"We're fortunate that we've got a kid who is still young and is dedicated to the job and wants to continue being a great player," Paxson said. "I think he's going to come back bigger, stronger, better than ever."

Rose sat out the entire season after tearing his ACL in April, 2012.

Luol Deng Doesn't Plan To Have Repair Procedure On Wrist

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:08:18 EDT

After playing a second consecutive season with a torn ligament in his left wrist, Luol Deng doesn’t plan to have any procedure to repair the wrist, a league source told RealGM.

Deng made his second straight All-Star team this season for the Chicago Bulls, averaging 16.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and three assists in 75 games. He decided to bypass surgery after last summer’s Olympics and played all season with his wrist taped.

Instead of undergoing surgery, Deng will rest his wrist. He also dealt with a fractured thumb earlier in the season.

Deng led the Bulls to a 3-1 series lead over the Brooklyn Nets in the first round, but he missed the final seven games – including the series win – of Chicago’s playoff run due to lingering symptoms from a spinal tap. He’s since recovered and felt better. The Bulls’ season ended in a Game 5 series loss to the Miami Heat on May 15.

Over the past two seasons, Deng has cemented himself as an integral, durable forward on the Bulls, establishing himself under Tom Thibodeau as one of the NBA’s elite wing defenders.

Michael Reinsdorf Believes Mirotic Would Be Lottery Pick In This Year's Draft

Fri, 17 May 2013 20:50:35 EDT

Michael Reinsdorf believes that Nikola Mirotic would be a lottery in this year’s NBA draft.

Mirotic was acquired by the Bulls after he was drafted 23rd overall in 2011.

Reinsdorf is proud of the Bulls’ recent draft record, pointing to the 2011 selection of Jimmy Butler.

“This is a guy who was the 30th pick in the draft that any other team could have had,” Reinsdorf said of Butler. “He played nearly every minute against Miami and LeBron James. If you saw how LeBron James embraced Jimmy Butler after that game, to me, it was the ultimate show of respect and that Jimmy has arrived as a ballplayer.”

Thibodeau: Rose Made Right Decision Missing Entire Season

Thu, 16 May 2013 14:50:04 EDT

The Chicago Bulls were eliminated from the 2013 NBA Playoffs on Wednesday, ending their season without having Derrick Rose in the lineup for a single game.

Rose tore his ACL during Game 1 of the 2012 NBA Playoffs.

"He never quite reached the comfort level he needed to play," said Tom Thibodeau. "So he made the right decision."

Rose looked close to returning at one point of the season and said that he might return for the Bulls' series against the Miami Heat.

"He’s been diligent," said Thibodeau. "He’ll continue to be diligent throughout the summer. And he’ll be ready to go next year."

Bulls Will Buy Out Richard Hamilton

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:04:59 EDT

Richard Hamilton scored 15 points in 35 minutes of the Chicago Bulls' Game 5 loss to the Miami Heat, and he knows he likely does not have a future with the organization.

The Bulls will buy out Hamilton for $1 million this offseason.

Hamilton has said he hopes to play two more seasons.

"Even though the last two weeks have been hard, my teammates have been great," Hamilton said. "They were so supportive of me and dumbfounded by the situation. They kept me going."

Source: Derrick Rose Strongly Considered Return Against Heat

Sun, 12 May 2013 16:19:28 EDT

At the outset of the second round of the Chicago Bulls' series against the Miami Heat, Derrick Rose strongly considered returning from his torn ACL but ultimately decided not to, according to a source.

Rose will not return in this series, though, and Tom Thibodeau is aware of that.

Rose reached the one-year anniversary of ACL surgery on Sunday.

Tom Thibodeau Fined $35K By NBA For Criticizing Officials

Sun, 12 May 2013 14:28:40 EDT

Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau has been fined $35,000 for comments he made about the officiating following the Bulls 104-94 loss to the Miami Heat on Friday night at the United Center.

Thibodeau ripped the officiating throughout his postgame press conference and was particularly irate about the two early fouls called on Jimmy Butler, Nazr Mohammed's ejection for shoving LeBron James and Joakim Noah's loose ball foul in the fourth quarter.

The Bulls trail the Heat 2-1 in the conference semifinal series.

Taj Gibson was fined $25,000 after Game 2 for verbally abusing an official.

Taj Gibson Fined $25,000 By NBA For Verbal Abuse Of Referee

Fri, 10 May 2013 14:01:07 EDT

Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson has been fined $25,000 for verbal abuse of a game official, the NBA announced on Friday.

The incident occurred with 10:13 remaining in the fourth quarter of Chicago's 115-78 loss to the Miami Heat in Game 2 on Wednesday.

Joakim Noah had a similar incident but did not get fined.

Nate Robinson Leads NBA In Postseason Fourth Quarter Scoring

Fri, 10 May 2013 11:47:05 EDT

Nate Robinson is averaging 8.3 points in the fourth quarter in the playoffs, up from only 4.8 points during the regular season.

Robinson’s minutes have gone up from 25.4 during the regular season to 31.5 during the postseason.

Carmelo Anthony ranks second in the league in postseason fourth quarter scoring, averaging 8.1 points.

Luol Deng Played Through Broken Thumb Earlier In Season

Thu, 09 May 2013 16:30:00 EDT

Luol Deng has missed the past four games after complications with a spinal tap and is doubtful to play on Friday in Game 3 of the Chicago Bulls' second round series against the Miami Heat.

Deng revealed on Thursday that he played part of this season with a fractured thumb to go along with torn ligaments in his wrist from last year.

"It’s hard, man," Deng said. "We’ve had a long season. I’ve played with a lot of injuries. I’ve gone through the torn ligament in the wrist. I had a fractured thumb earlier this year. I played with it. I went through all that to be able to play. I didn’t think something besides an injury would keep me out. And that’s what makes it really hard. I don’t know what you can do."

Deng, who said he has lost 15 pounds during his recent absence, made his second consecutive All-Star appearance this season.

Thibodeau: No Underselling How Noah Plays To Win

Wed, 08 May 2013 12:36:44 EDT

Joakim Noah is one of the NBA's best big men, but he also continue to get measurably better.

Noah was ruled out of the Chicago Bulls' first round series against the Nets due to plantar fasciitis, but he decided before their Game 1 shootaround that he would be healthy enough to play.

“Yeah and I hope he continues to improve until the last year he plays in the league," said Tom Thibodeau. "I want him to have that approach. I want him to remain hungry. He’s also an All-Star now, and I think if he keeps working at it, I can see him being a defensive player of the year.

“But the most important thing about him is he plays to win, and you can’t undersell that. Jo can have five points, 10 rebounds and four blocks, have great impact in the game, and he’s happy because we won. That’s the most important thing for him.’’

LeBron Prepared To Defend Nate Robinson

Tue, 07 May 2013 22:50:22 EDT

Nate Robinson had 27 points and nine assists in the Chicago Bulls' Game 1 win over the Miami Heat on Monday, and LeBron James made it clear that he is ready to defend the 5-foot-9 guard moving forward in the series.

“I’ll take the challenge on anyone,” James said.

Robinson had nine of the Bulls' last 12 points in Game 1.

James said he "wouldn't be surprised" if Erik Spoelstra "stuck" him onto Robinson late in games.

Marco Belinelli Fined $15,000 By NBA For Obscene Gesture

Mon, 06 May 2013 21:12:00 EDT

Marco Belinelli has been fined $15,000 for making an obscene gesture during the Chicago Bulls' 99-93 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday.

Belinelli's actions occurred with 4:52 left in the 4th period of the game.

The Bulls won the series in that decisive Game 7.

Derrick Rose: 'I Might Have A Chance' To Return Against Heat

Mon, 06 May 2013 16:37:08 EDT

Despite everyone around the NBA believing he will not return this season, Derrick Rose said on Monday that he still could return at some point in the Chicago Bulls' second round series against the Miami Heat.

"Still up in the air. I might have a chance," Rose said.

Rose has been scrimmaging 5-on-5 since Feb. 18 and has been medically cleared to play for two months, but he still doesn't feel confident that his body is ready for game action.

"It's definitely hard but I know that this will be over with pretty soon. Who knows when it's going to stop but I can't just get down on myself," Rose said.

Asked about Rose's availability for the series, Tom Thibodeau said: "We'll see."

Deng Out For Game 1, Hinrich Doubtful

Mon, 06 May 2013 11:09:06 EDT

Luol Deng is out for the Chicago Bulls in Game 1 of their second round series against the Miami Heat.

Deng underwent a spinal tap and was released from the hospital on Saturday.

Kirk Hinrich will be a game-time decision with his injured calf, but is doubtful.

Krzyzewski Praises Thibodeau For Developing Culture Of 'Tough Character' With Bulls

Sat, 04 May 2013 22:44:07 EDT

Mike Krzyzewski believes the culture Tom Thibodeau has created with the Chicago Bulls is the reason the team is able to persevere through so many injuries.

"I think Thibodeau is one of the great coaches in basketball," Krzyzewski said. "He's developed a culture of tough character.”

Instead of collapsing from the absence of Derrick Rose and other key role players, the Bulls continue to win.

"I know Carlos [Boozer] obviously really well, I've coached him, I coached Luol [Deng], those kids ... they just have great character,” Krzyzewski said. “And the Bulls are a blue-collar team in a blue-collar town, and I think it's one of the great stories right now in the NBA, what the Bulls are doing.

"I think they have a philosophy that they don't talk about being sick all year. They don't talk about being hurt all year, so when the moment of truth comes in the playoffs, they're already accustomed to a certain way of living."

Derrick Rose Being Held Back By Lack Of Muscle Memory

Fri, 03 May 2013 20:46:11 EDT

Derrick Rose badly wants to come back to the court for the Chicago Bulls, but he told TNT's Rachel Nichols he is being held back by a lack of muscle memory that prevents him from shooting and feeling the way he desires off his torn ACL.

"[Rose] says that he just doesn't have the muscle memory back, is the way he put it," Nichols said during the network's coverage of Game 6 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

Rose has not played this season after undergoing surgery last May to repair his torn ACL.

Rose was reportedly cleared to play in early March, but he has been adamant about not feeling completely comfortable mentally.

The Bulls are tied, 3-3, in their first round series against the Brooklyn Nets, with Game 7 on Saturday.

Deng Underwent Spinal Tap To Test For Meningitis

Fri, 03 May 2013 12:37:22 EDT

Luol Deng underwent a spinal tap to test for viral meningitis, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed.

The tests came back negative, and Deng hoped to play in Game 6 against the Brooklyn Nets.

Deng was sent home about 90 minutes before tip-off, Tom Thibodeau said.

"He was in the facility in the morning and got treatment," Thibodeau said. "Came in this evening and got more treatment. I didn't find out until about an hour, hour and a half before the game."

Mirotic Wants To Play For Spanish Senior National Team

Thu, 02 May 2013 11:57:11 EDT

Nikola Mirotic would like to one day play for the Spanish senior national team.

A native of Montenegro, Mirotic moved to Spain as a teenager and played for the country’s U20 team at the 2011 European Championship.

"I had a great time playing with the U20," Mirotic said. "I have very fond memories. I am very happy. In Spain, I have felt like at home. We will see what the future holds."

Mirotic hopes to be selected to play for Spain's senior team at the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

"One has to remember that I am a Spanish national and I want to play with them," Mirotic said. "Right now, I belong to them.”

Teammates Don't Believe Derrick Rose Owes Them A Comeback

Wed, 01 May 2013 15:17:02 EDT

Derrick Rose's teammates on the Chicago Bulls continue to support him and don't agree with the notion that the star guard owes it to them to return from his torn ACL.

"We don’t feel that way," Kirk Hinrich said. "It’s been a very difficult year for Derrick. I’ve never experienced any sort of injury like that. I’m not one to speak on how anybody else’s body feels. We know what kind of guy he is and what kind of teammate he is and we don’t feel that way.

"I haven’t heard one ill word said about it. You give a guy who has that type of character the benefit of the doubt. We know that he’s such a big part of this organization and this team that we trust he’s making the right decision for that and for himself."

Tom Thibodeau continued to make it clear that the Bulls will not rush Rose back.

"We certainly appreciate what all the other guys are doing, but Derrick has had a very serious injury," Thibodeau said. "It requires time. He’s 24 years old. We’re not going to rush him back."

Hinrich To Miss Game 5 With Bruised Left Calf

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:41:46 EDT

Kirk Hinrich will miss the Chicago Bulls' Game 5 matchup against the Brooklyn Nets with a bruised left calf.

Hinrich arrived at Monday morning's shootaround in a walking boot.

"It's real disappointing," Hinrich said. "You never want to miss playoff games."

An MRI on Hinrich's calf muscle revealed no tear.

The bruise is severe enough that missing the rest of the week "is a real possibility," the source said.

Hinrich Undergoes MRI On Left Calf

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 18:29:52 EDT

Kirk Hinrich underwent an MRI on his sore left calf muscle following the Chicago Bulls' triple-overtime win over the Brooklyn Nets.

Hinrich played nearly 60 minutes in the game.

"It was pretty grueling," Hinrich said.

Hinrich said the injury "is pretty bad."

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Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:17:02 EDT

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