Chicago Bulls Blog – Page 61 – NBA Blog

Derrick Rose says sprained toe isn’t an issue

For Derrick Rose, his sprained left toe is yesterday’s news.

“I’m not even trying to think about it,” Rose said. “I’m playing. To me, that was a thing of the past, and I’m just trying to get over it.”

Rose reported no additional soreness after he had 25 points, seven assists and four rebounds in Friday night’s victory in Boston. He’s still wearing a walking boot because it’s more comfortable than a shoe, and he’s still wearing an insole. Other than that, he said he’s not even thinking about his toe.

“If anything, [the training staff is] just worried about me re-injuring it because I came back kind of soon,” Rose said. “I was fine and I wanted to play [Friday], so it was up to me.”

He scored 18 points in 41 minutes on Saturday night against the Toronto Raptors.

— Reported by Neil Hayes of the Chicago Sun-Times

Michael Jordan’s former HS coach arrested for harassing police during investigation

A REPORT FROM WECT 6 TV

Detectives with the Wilmington Police Department found a body while searching a home in Wilmington Friday for evidence relating to a missing person’s case, and WECT has learned that one of three men arrested at the home the night before used to be Michael Jordan’s basketball coach while he attended Laney High School.

Police arrested Clifton Herring in the 1100 block of Cowan Street on Thursday night, while investigating reports of the missing woman.

Police say they went to 1115 Cowan Street Thursday night to look for the missing woman and Andrew Bernard Adams let them search the residence. While at the scene, they arrested two men who they say were trying to walk away with various CDs, DVDs, a DVD player and some clothing. Antonio Heard, 42, and Kyperoo Gore, 23, were charged with burglary.

While arresting those two, police say Herring, who was intoxicated, became “belligerent and repeatedly refused to follow officers’ orders to stay out of the way.” They arrested Herring and charged him with resist/delay/obstruct an officer in the process of carrying out his/her duties. Two officers had to restrain Herring.

— Reported by WECT 6

Chicago Bulls sign guard Mike James

Sometimes, players you thought had fallen out of the league rise back up from the dead and make a comeback.

The Chicago Bulls today signed free agent guard Mike James. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed. We assume it’s a very short-term, small contract.

James, (6-2, 190), appeared in three games for the Erie Bayhawks of the NBA D-League, posting averages of 15.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.3 apg 34.7 mpg, .386 from the field and .727 from the free throw line. He is the 14th GATORADE Call-up of the 2011-12 NBA D-League season.

An eight-year NBA veteran, his most recent NBA stint was with the Washington Wizards during the 2009-10 campaign. He appeared in four games and averaged 4.5 ppg and 1.3 apg in 11.5 mpg.

In addition to playing with the Wizards, James has also played for the Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Minnesota Timberwolves and the New Orleans Hornets. In 528 regular season contests in the NBA, he has averaged 10.5 ppg, 3.6 apg and 2.3 rpg in 25.2 mpg. A .378 career shooter from behind the arc, he also owns career shooting averages of .420 from the field and .803 from the line.

Chicago’s roster now stands at 14.

Bruised elbow can’t stop Derrick Rose

Even if Derrick Rose believed bad things happen in threes, it wouldn’t matter.

Twice Dwight Howard has knocked Rose out of games with hard fouls in the lane.

But Rose promised before Friday night’s game against the Magic that he would not change his strategy.

“No, I’m still going to attack, go to the hole,” he said. “I’m a drive-first guy. But when you play him, you have to know he will contest everything.”

Rose made the adjustments in the Bulls’ impressive 97-83 victory at the Amway Center. Rather than going all the way to the rack, he pulled up several times to hit floaters over Howard’s outstretched arms.

“Derrick has quite an array of shots,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. “And he’s great at finishing.”

Rose played with a bruised left elbow, the result of hitting the deck Wednesday night on a foul by the Pistons’ Damien Wilkins. He wore a protective sleeve on his left elbow, but it was tough to tell if the injury affected him.

— Reported by Teddy Greenstein of the Chicago Tribune

Derrick Rose still dealing with sore elbow

Derrick Rose was still sore, but he had more mobility in his left elbow than he did after injuring it Wednesday against the Detroit Pistons, a person with knowledge of the situation said.

Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy is preparing as though Rose will play when his 5-2 Magic hosts the 6-1 Bulls on Friday.

‘‘He’s an exceptional player, and . . . I think he has an exceptional attitude also,’’ Van Gundy said. ‘‘He’s a different breed. He’s all about winning and the team and trying to do what he can to get better. He’s the real deal as a player and a person and a teammate. They’re very, very lucky to have him.’’

Rose drove hard to the basket, was fouled by the Pistons’ Damien Wilkins and came down hard on his left elbow late in the Bulls’

99-83 victory.

— Reported by Neil Hayes of the Chicago Sun-Times

Bulls guard C.J. Watson suffers elbow sprain

Chicago Bulls guard C.J. Watson sprained his left elbow in the fourth quarter of tonight’s game versus the Memphis Grizzlies.

He was evaluated by Bulls head team physician Dr. Brian Cole and Dr. Greg Nicholson of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush.

Watson is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday and his status will be determined once all medical information has been gathered.

Michael Jordan engaged to model Yvette Prieto

Michael Jordan is engaged to longtime girlfriend Yvette Prieto, a Cuban-American model he’s been dating for three years.

Publicist Estee Portnoy confirmed the news, first reported by WCNC in Charlotte, on Thursday.

The Bobcats owner got engaged over the Christmas weekend. No wedding date has been set.

— Reported by Steve Reed of the Associated Press

Derrick Rose still mad about losing to Heat in 2011 playoffs

On the eve of a new season, Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose admitted that he still hasn’t completely gotten over the fact that his team lost in five games to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals last spring.

“I’m not over it yet,” he said before the Bulls’ Saturday morning practice at UCLA. “I’m still thinking about it. That was one of the things that is still driving me right now is wanting to be able to be in that position again to see what I’m going to do about it. I think I’ve been preparing myself for it, but we will have to see.”

Rose said he can still remember the disappointment he felt after the game that night.

— Via Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago

Kobe Bryant expects to play season opener

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant said his injured right wrist was less swollen Thursday and he expects to play in the season opener Sunday against Chicago at Staples Center.

“I should be fine,” Bryant said.

Bryant’s definition of “fine” is a little dicey, though. He also said: “It’s not really going to heal. It’s gone. The ligament’s gone. There’s nothing I can do about it.

“But I’ve dealt with so many hand injuries, it should be all right.”

Bryant said he tried to practice Tuesday with unsatisfactory results, which told him there was more significant damage. The MRI on Tuesday revealed the torn lunotriquetral ligament in his right (shooting) wrist.

— Via Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register

Chicago Bulls sign Derrick Rose to extension

The Chicago Bulls announced today that the team has re-signed guard Derrick Rose to a maximum dollar, five-year extension. It is reportedly worth around $94 million.

“We are thrilled that we have signed Derrick to an extension. On top of being a great player, what has set Derrick apart is his make-up, character, drive and his leadership,” said Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman. “That being said, we believe his greatest asset is his loyalty to his teammates, to our organization and to the city of Chicago. We look forward to having Derrick in a Bulls uniform for years to come, as he helps lead us in our quest to become a championship team.”

In 2010-11, Rose helped guide Chicago to its first appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals since 1998. In 81 games last season, he averaged 25.0 ppg (seventh in the NBA), 7.7 apg (10th), 4.1 rpg, 1.05 spg and 37.4 mpg (14th). Rose was the only player in the NBA last year who ranked in the top 10 in scoring and assists. He also became just the fifth player in NBA history (along with Oscar Robertson, John Havlicek, Michael Jordan and LeBron James) to post 2,000 points, 600 assists and 300 rebounds in a single season. For his efforts last year, he was named the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player (the youngest MVP in NBA history at 22 years-191 days old), as well as being selected All-NBA First Team.

“It is a dream come true to play for the Chicago Bulls, and with this new contract the dream continues. I am very thankful to Jerry Reinsdorf and the Chicago Bulls organization, my teammates and coaches, and to the city of Chicago,” said Rose. “It is an honor to play in the city that I grew up in, and I am very appreciative of this opportunity with my hometown Bulls. I want all of our fans out there to know that I am committed to one goal and that is winning an NBA championship for Chicago.”

Embarking on his fourth season in the NBA, Rose is a two-time All-Star, and has averaged 20.9 ppg, 6.7 apg and 3.9 rpg in 37.1 mpg while with the Bulls. The Chicago native has also posted career shooting averages of .468 from the field, .309 from behind the arc and .815 from the line. The Bulls originally selected Rose with the first overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft.