Chicago Bulls Blog – Page 74 – NBA Blog

Bulls exercise options on Derrick Rose, Taj Gibson and James Johnson

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has exercised its fourth-year option for the 2011-12 season for guard Derrick Rose and its third-year options for the 2011-12 season for forwards Taj Gibson and James Johnson. By exercising the respective player options, all three players will be under contract with the Bulls for the 2011-12 season.

In two seasons with Chicago, Rose (6-3, 190) has appeared in 159 games (158 starts) and averaged 18.7 ppg, 6.2 apg, 3.8 rpg, 0.77 spg in 36.9 mpg; he has shot .483 from field and .776 from the line. Last season, Rose became the youngest NBA All-Star in team history and was the first Chicago Bulls player to be named to an All-Star Game (2010) since Michael Jordan in 1998. The Chicago native was also a member of the 2010 USA Men’s Basketball Team that claimed the gold medal at the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey this past summer.

Gibson (6-9, 225), appeared in all 82 games (70 starts) during his rookie campaign and posted averages of 8.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 0.9 apg and 1.27 bpg in 26.8 mpg. He also shot .494 from the floor and .647 from the line. Gibson, the 26th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, was also selected to the T-Mobile NBA All-Rookie First Team. He led all rookies in rebounds per game, field goal percentage, double-doubles and was second in blocks per game.

The 6-9, 245-pound Johnson played in 65 contests (11 starts) during his rookie season. He averaged 3.9 ppg and 2.0 rpg in 11.6 mpg. Johnson was selected by the Bulls in the first round (16th overall) in the 2009 NBA Draft.

Bulls waive John Lucas III, Kyle Weaver and Roger Powell

The Chicago Bulls announced today that the team has requested waivers on guards John Lucas III, Kyle Weaver, and forward Roger Powell.

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.

Weaver (6-6, 201) played in three preseason contests and posted averages of 2.3 ppg, 2.3 apg, 1.7 rpg and 8.7 mpg.

Powell (6-6, 225) appeared in one preseason game and recorded two points and one board in two minutes of play.

Chicago’s roster now stands at 13.

Joey Dorsey suspended for swinging at Brian Scalabrine

Joey Dorsey of the Toronto Raptors has been suspended without pay for one game for swinging his arm at the head of the Chicago Bulls’ Brian Scalabrine, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 7.3 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of the Bulls’ 109-90 victory over the Raptors at United Center on Tuesday, Oct. 12.

Dorsey will serve his suspension commencing with the first game of the 2010-11 NBA regular season for which he is eligible and physically able to play.

Chicago Bulls sign Joakim Noah to contract extension

The Chicago Bulls announced today that the team has agreed to terms with center Joakim Noah on a multi-year extension. Per team policy, terms of the contract will not be disclosed.

“Joakim is such an integral member of our team and we are very pleased to have reached an agreement with him,” said Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman. “His presence, both on and off of the court, is immeasurable and we look forward to him to continue to improve and develop his game.”

In his three seasons with the Bulls, Noah (6-11, 232) has played in 218 games (140 starts), and averaged 7.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.26 bpg, 24.8 mpg and shot .513 from the field and .706 from the line. Last season, he established career highs in scoring (10.7 ppg), rebounds (11.0 rpg), assists (2.1 apg), blocks (1.56 bpg) and minutes played (30.1 mpg). He also posted a career-best 28 double-doubles, and he was one of nine players in the NBA who averaged a double-double in 2009-10.

Noah has also played in 12 playoff games with the Bulls and owns postseason averages of 12.1 ppg, 13.1 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.83 bpg, 1.25 spg, 38.3 mpg, .513 from the floor and .841 from the free throw line.

The Bulls drafted Noah in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft, following a highly successful collegiate career at the University of Florida.

Bulls, Joakim Noah reportedly agree to extension

The AP reports:

Apr. 22, 2010 - Chicago, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES - epa02128452 Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah celebrates during the third quarter of game three of their National Basketball Association Eastern Conference first round playoffs as the Bulls lead the Cleveland Cavaliers at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, USA, 22 April 2010. The Bulls defeated the Cavaliers 108-106 to bring the best of seven game series to two wins for the Cavaliers to one win for the Bulls.

Center Joakim Noah and the Chicago Bulls agreed Sunday on a five-year contract extension, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized.

The news about Noah comes on a day when the Bulls learned that Carlos Boozer, their top acquisition this summer, broke a bone in his right hand in a fall at home and could be out about two months.

The Chicago Tribune reported the deal is worth about $11 million annually with incentives that could take it higher.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

Carlos Boozer out 8 weeks with broken hand

Chicago Bulls forward Carlos Boozer sustained a fracture of his right hand (5th metacarpal) on October 2, 2010. He was evaluated by team physician Dr. Brian Cole and hand specialist Dr. Marc Cohen of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush. The fracture will require surgery and Carlos will likely be out 8 weeks.

ESPN reports: Boozer suffered the injury on Saturday during the Bulls’ day off. According to team sources, Boozer tripped over a bag in his house and fell. The team says Boozer broke the fifth metacarpal bone in his hand. He was evaluated by team physician Dr. Brian Cole and hand specialist Dr. Marc Cohen of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush.

Earlier, the AP reported:

May 10, 2010 - Salt Lake City, UTAH, United States - epa02151941 Utah Jazz' Carlos Boozer lays the ball during the second half of their NBA Western Conference second round playoff basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, 10 May 2010. The Lakers beat the Jazz 111-96 to sweep and win the series 4-0.

Chicago Bulls forward Carlos Boozer, one of Chicago’s top offseason acquisitions, broke his right hand Saturday and could be out for two months.

Boozer fractured the fifth metacarpal bone in his hand and will need surgery, the team said Sunday. He was evaluated by team physician Dr. Brian Cole and hand specialist Dr. Marc Cohen of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush.

It was unclear how Boozer was injured. The Bulls did not practice Saturday, and a team spokeswoman called the injury “non-basketball related.”

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

Derrick Rose working to develop outside game

K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reports:

Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose brings the ball up the floor against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter of game 3 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the United Center in Chicago on April 22, 2010. The Bulls won 108-106 and trail the Cavliers 2-1 in the best of seven series. UPI/Brian Kersey Photo via Newscom

Rose said after practice Friday he hasn’t shot one layup all training camp. While that might be hyperbole, the point remains he has worked hard to further develop his outside shot to broaden his offensive game.

“He’s shooting with a lot of confidence,” [Bulls coach] Thibodeau said. “I don’t see any hesitation at all, which is a good sign. And he’s making good decisions. He’s putting pressure on the defense by getting the ball up the floor quickly. And he’s running the team great. If you sag off him, he’s not afraid to shoot. That’s what I want him to do. Most teams in this league fear him off the dribble.”

InsideHoops.com editor says: Rose is already in the league’s best point guard discussion. Right now, popular perception says Chris Paul and Deron Williams are a notch above the rest, but Rose is right there, and it’ll be fun watching him get even better.

Have something to say? Share your thoughts on the Chicago Bulls forum.

Fan poll results: Six East locks to make playoffs

An InsideHoops.com front page poll asking fans to predict the eight Eastern conference teams that will qualify for the 2010-11 NBA playoffs had the following results:

Celtics     2,046 votes
Heat    2,045 votes
Magic    2,011 votes
Bulls    1,985 votes
Hawks    1,886 vote
Bucks    1,658 votes
Bobcats    1,011 votes
Knicks    1,074 votes
Wizards    637 votes
Sixers    481 votes
Pistons    336 votes
Nets    333 votes
Cavaliers 333 votes
Pacers    229 votes
Raptors    173 votes

Fans felt that the six teams — the Magic, Celtics, Heat, Bulls, Hawks and Bucks — are strong locks to make the playoffs.

After those teams, the Bobcats and Knicks came in next, with the 7th and 8th highest votes.

InsideHoops.com editor says: These are some pretty fantastic results. Look at the top eight teams, in order. That’s pretty close to what an East power ranking list should look like.

Missing the playoffs but getting good support were the Wizards, receiving the 9th highest votes.

Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard (12) is congratulated by teammates Rashard Lewis (L), Jameer Nelson (14) and Vince Carter (15) during overtime in Game 4 of their NBA Eastern Conference playoff series against the Boston Celtics in Boston, Massachusetts May 24, 2010. REUTERS/Adam Hunger (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

Boozer should be big help for Bulls

John Jackson of the Chicago Sun-Times writes:

With Boozer as a viable option in the low post, teams no longer can gang up on Rose on the perimeter. When the ball is thrown in to Boozer, opponents now will have a choice to make — double-team Boozer or let him operate one-on-one in the post.

If teams choose to double-team Boozer, he’ll kick it out to Rose. If not, they’ll have to contend with a player who averaged 19.5 points for the Utah Jazz last season.

”[Boozer’s] versatility is a great asset,” Thibodeau said. ”It starts with his post-up game. The thing that often gets overlooked is his ability to pass out of the post. He’s a terrific passer out of the post, so when the ball goes in and we cut, those are other opportunities to get easy baskets.”

Boozer is the type of big man whose game meshes perfectly with Rose and the type of offense Thibodeau wants to run.

Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer, left, and Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, right, battle for the ball during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series at Staples Center in Los Angeles on May 4, 2010. The Lakers won 111-103 . UPI Photo/Lori Shepler Photo via Newscom

Examining Bulls forward Taj Gibson

Nick Friedell of ESPN reports:

Taj Gibson will be a jack of all trades for Tom Thibodeau this season. After starting most of last year under Vinny Del Negro, Gibson continued to show improvement as the year progressed, averaging nine points and almost eight rebounds a game while playing in all 82 regular-season contests. He proved to be one of the biggest steals of the draft at No. 26, earning an invitation to play in the Rookie/Sophomore Game during All Star Weekend. Unlike most rookies, the USC alum embraced the concept of defense, and he became a Del Negro favorite because of his team-first attitude. At 25, he is more mature than most young players who come into the league.

With the addition of Carlos Boozer, Gibson will come off the bench this season, but he still is expected to get plenty of minutes as one of the better sixth men in the league. He can play both forward positions and will most likely be used as a defensive presence late in games. After struggling to find his offense in the beginning of last year, Gibson has spent a lot of time in the gym working on his jumper, and he should be able to expand his range.

Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson handles the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers forward Antawn Jamison defends during the first quarter of game 3 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the United Center in Chicago on April 22, 2010. UPI/Brian Kersey Photo via Newscom