Chicago Bulls Blog – Page 73 – NBA Blog

Tom Thibodeau and Monty Williams named Coaches of Month for January, 2011

The Chicago Bulls’ Tom Thibodeau and the New Orleans Hornets’ Monty Williams today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in January.

Thibodeau led the Bulls to a 12-4 record on the month, including a 90-79 win over the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics on Jan. 8. The Bulls have gone 11-0 against Central Division opponents, and are the only team in the NBA without a division loss. Chicago’s 44.5 rebounds per game rank second in the NBA, and its 92.0 points allowed per game rank third.

Williams guided the Hornets to a 12-4 mark in January, including a franchise-record 10-game winning streak. New Orleans averaged 7.0 steals last month, and lead the NBA in second chance points allowed (9.71). The Hornets held 9 of 16 opponents under 90 points last month, including the Western Conference-leading San Antonio Spurs in a 75-71 victory on Jan. 22.

Other nominees for Coach of the Month were Boston’s Doc Rivers, Charlotte’s Paul Silas, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Vinny Del Negro, Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, Memphis’ Lionel Hollins, Philadelphia’s Doug Collins and San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich.

Derrick Rose recovering from stomach ulcers

The AP reports:

Derrick Rose plans to cut back on the spices.

The Bulls’ star point guard is recovering from stomach ulcers he believes his diet caused and hopes to play when Chicago hosts the Orlando Magic on Friday.

Rose said his energy is “kind of low. But I should be all right.”

He said he started experiencing heartburn on Monday and still is having difficulty eating, drinking and swallowing. He initially thought he had stomach flu, but doctors at Rush University Medical Center found two ulcers on Wednesday.

Bulls assign James Johnson to D-League

Chicago Bulls forward James Johnson was assigned to the Iowa Energy, the Bulls’ NBA Development League affiliate, it was announced today. The assignment marks the 34th time in the 2010-11 season an NBA player has been assigned to an NBA D-League affiliate, and it is the first assignment for Johnson, a second-year pro out of Wake Forest.

Johnson (6-9, 245) has appeared in 12 games this season with the Bulls, averaging 3.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 10.2 minutes. In 77 career games with Chicago, Johnson is averaging 3.9 points and 2.0 rebounds in 11.4 minutes.

The Bulls selected Johnson in the first round (16th overall) of the 2009 NBA Draft. In two seasons at Wake Forest, Johnson averaged 14.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 61 games, and was named an All-ACC Third Team selection both seasons.

Johnson is expected to join the Energy for the team’s home game against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Friday.

Chicago man gets 13 years for robbing Antoine Walker

The AP reports:

A Chicago man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison after pleading guilty to robbing former NBA star Antoine Walker at gunpoint at his home in 2007.
Demorris Hill was tried late last year for the robbery, but the jury wasn’t able to reach a unanimous verdict…

Two other men also have been convicted in the robbery, and a third is awaiting trial.

Hill is also charged in a similar robbery at the suburban Chicago home of New York Knicks Center Eddy Curry.

Bulls waive John Lucas III

The Chicago Bulls announced today that the team has waived guard John Lucas III.

Lucas III (5-11, 165) appeared in two games with Chicago, and averaged 1.0 ppg and 0.5 apg in 5.0 mpg. He signed with Chicago on November 26.

Chicago’s roster now stands at 13.

Michael Jordan buys $3.15 million condo in Charlotte

The Charlotte Observer reports:

July 15, 2010 - Stateline, Nevada, USA - MICHAEL JORDAN plays in the 21st annual American Century Championships at the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. Offering a total purse of 600,000 dollars, the made-for-tv ACC, owned and broadcast by NBC Sports, is the world's premier celebrity golf tournament. For the fifth year in a row, the Lance Armstrong Foundation and its LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Campaign is the Championship's official charity.

Bobcats owner Michael Jordan is officially a Charlotte homeowner.

Jordan has purchased and combined the two top-floor penthouses at The Trust, a luxury uptown condominium building at 139 South Tryon St. He closed on the $3.15 million property Thursday, according to the McDevitt Agency, which brokered the deal.

His new, 7,000-square-foot residence is about two blocks from Time Warner Cable Arena, where the Bobcats play. The seven-floor Trust building also houses Chima Brazilian Steakhouse.

InsideHoops.com editor says: $3.15 million is pocket change. He probably paid it in $20 bills that he found in his jeans. I’m sure my readers can relate.

Joakim Noah needs right thumb surgery

Chicago Bulls Joakim Noah (13) plays against the Washington Wizards during the second quarter quarter at the Verizon Center in Washington on April 2, 2010. UPI/Alexis C. Glenn Photo via Newscom

Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah will have surgery to repair a torn ulna collateral ligament in his right thumb. The surgery will be performed tomorrow morning by Dr. Mark Cohen and Dr. John Fernandez of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush University Medical Center.

Noah was first injured in the Nov. 27 game at Sacramento, and he has played the last two weeks with ongoing discomfort and slight functional impairment. Additionally, Noah has had significant sprains of his right index and middle fingers, which will not require surgery.

“Joakim’s injury presentation was unusual in that he was able to function at a high level with the injury. More often, athletes are unable to play at all due to pain and instability of the thumb,” said Chicago Bulls Head Team Physician Brian Cole.

“As the days proceeded from the original injury, it became clear for all that surgery was best for Joakim,” said Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman. “We have always valued Joakim’s toughness and willingness to put the team above himself, but in this case his health took precedence.”

Noah has started every Bulls game this year, and entering tonight’s game at Toronto, he had averaged 14.2 ppg, 11.7 rpg (fifth in the NBA), 2.8 apg, 1.61 bpg (16th), 1.22 spg, 37.2 mpg (18th). He also had shot .511 (28th) from the field and .724 from the free throw line.

Noah also ranked in the top 10 in the NBA in offensive rebounds (third), offensive rebounds per game (fourth), defensive rebounds per game (sixth), total rebounds (sixth), double-doubles (sixth) and defensive rebounds (ninth).

Bulls sign John Lucas III

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has signed free agent guard John Lucas III. In accordance with team policy, terms of the contract were not announced.

Lucas III (5-11, 165) saw action in five preseason games with the Bulls and averaged 2.2 ppg and 0.8 apg in 6.4 mpg.

Undrafted out of Oklahoma State in 2005, Lucas spent two seasons with the Houston Rockets (2005-07) and appeared in 60 regular season contests. While with the Rockets he averaged 3.1 ppg, 0.8 apg and 0.7 rpg in 8.2 mpg, and shot .396 from the field, .250 from behind the arc and .789 from the line.

Chicago’s roster now stands at 14 players.

Andres Nocioni fined for throwing mouthpiece into stands

Andres Nocioni of the Philadelphia 76ers has been fined $25,000 for throwing his mouthpiece into the stands, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 2:08 remaining in the first quarter of Philadelphia’s 109-103 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 10 at Oklahoma City Arena.

Bulls name Sidney Green Team Ambassador

The Chicago Bulls announced today that they have named former Bull Sidney Green as a Team Ambassador. Green joins former Bulls great Scottie Pippen as a Team Ambassador.

Green will make the transition to his new role after serving as a scout and Player Development Assistant for the Bulls’ Basketball Operations Department. In this capacity, he will serve as a goodwill ambassador and represent the organization at various community functions, speaking engagements, school activities, non-profit and youth group appearances, as well as other select civic events. Sidney will also have a presence at Bulls games and appear at a variety of sponsor and team-related affairs.

“We are pleased to have Sidney assume his new role as Team Ambassador,” said Chicago Bulls President and COO Michael Reinsdorf. “His compassion and enthusiasm for the Chicagoland community are a natural fit for the city of Chicago and the Bulls.”

In accepting his new position, Green said “I would like to thank the Bulls organization for promoting me to this position. I will work to my utmost ability to earn and justify the confidence the Bulls have shown in me. It is great to work for such a first-class organization, which is not only successful on the court but also is so committed to the betterment of our community.”

A member of the Bulls from 1983-86, the former power forward averaged 9.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg and 1.1 apg during his playing days in Chicago. The Bulls selected Green with the fifth overall pick of the 1983 NBA Draft.