Chicago Bulls Blog – Page 85 – NBA Blog

Bulls name captains

How important are a team’s captains? In most cases the title doesn’t mean much. Players who haev leadership qualities tend to rise up and motivate others whether they’re a captain or not.

Bulls.com reports:

Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich and Lindsey Hunter have been named team captions for the 2009-10 season. The players voted over the weekend and an announcement was made on Monday.

Of the three, Deng is the only projected starter. He was also a captain last season. Hinrich, however, has been elected captain in six of his seven NBA seasons.

In his 17th season as a pro, not much is expected of Hunter from a statistical standpoint, but his contributions to the team are significant, serving as a mentor for Derrick Rose and the team’s other young players.

Star point guard Derrick Rose wasn’t named a captain. He isn’t very vocal so that’s not too surprising. I bet next year he becomes one, though.

Bulls exercise options on Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has picked up the options for the 2010-11 season for guard Derrick Rose and forward/center Joakim Noah. By exercising the respective player options, both players will be under contract with the Bulls for the 2010-11 season.

Rose, appeared in 81 games (80 starts) last year en route to being selected the 2008-09 T-Mobile NBA Rookie of the Year. On the season, he averaged 16.8 ppg, a team-high 6.3 apg and 3.9 rpg in 37.0 mpg. The Chicago native shot .475 from the field and .788 from the free throw line. He finished the 2008-09 campaign in the top three in several categories all-time among Bulls rookies, including total points (third with 1,361), scoring average (third) and assists (third with 512). Rose was the first selection in NBA Draft 2008.

In two seasons with Chicago, Noah (6-11, 232) has appeared in 154 games (86 starts) and averaged 6.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.2 apg and 1.13 bpg in 22.5 mpg; he has shot .520 from the field and .684 from the line. The Bulls selected Noah in the first round (ninth overall) in NBA Draft 2007.

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Taj Gibson having impressive preseason

K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reports: Taj Gibson is averaging 13.7 points on 53.6 percent shooting and also has matched up against the Jazz’s Carlos Boozer. In his matchup against the Bucks’ Thomas, the veteran forward pump-faked Gibson into an early foul, after which Gibson punched the stanchion in disgust. “You can’t take this job for granted,” Gibson said. “You have to take advantage of every chance you get. That’s why I watch so much film, which is fun for me. “One thing about me is I’m a gym rat. From the time I came, I told (general manager) Gar (Forman) that I love playing basketball. I’m going go to do whatever it takes to be the best player I can be.” Gibson earned Pac-10 defensive player of the year honors at USC, so his ability to consistently sink the midrange jumper has surprised some. Gibson isn’t one of them.

Oct 6: Jazz 101, Bulls 102

The AP reports: Rookie James Johnson sank a fade-away jump shot from the baseline at the buzzer Tuesday to give the Chicago Bulls a 102-101 win over the Utah Jazz in an NBA preseason game. Johnson, who finished with 18 points, got the rebound after teammate Derrick Byars missed a 3-point attempt from the top of the key… Luol Deng, who was raised in London after his family fled war-torn Sudan, impressed early and finished with 18 points at sold-out O2 Arena. He left the game in the third quarter and didn’t return. Jannero Pargo scored 16 points for the Bulls. Paul Milsap led the Jazz with 18 points, and Deron Williams and Wesley Matthews had 16 each.

NBA tells bench players stay seated so fans can see

Good NBA seats are expensive. Fans shelling out big money to sit near the court should expect a good view of the action.

But what about when players get off the bench and remain standing for a while? On the one hand, it’s nice to see guys cheer their teammates. On the other, these giants prevent fans from seeing what they paid to see.

The Cavs are one team with players who remained standing a lot, and now the league office has reportedly taken action.

Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports:

The NBA has issued a memo to its teams directing players on the bench to remain seated during games. Game officials will be keeping a closer eye and will issue faster warnings and possible technical fouls if not followed. Players are permitted to cheer, but standing during regular-game action and blocking the fans’ views apparently isn’t going to be allowed.

That goes for Tuesday night’s first preseason game at The Q, where the Cavs will host the Charlotte Bobcats in the first of eight practice games before the season opener.

The Cavs weren’t exactly thrilled that their custom has been legislated.

“It is hard to take that out of the game,” LeBron James said. “Part of the game is emotions, your teammates are all you have. That was part of the reason we played great basketball, because we cheered each other.”

I support the league protecting the paying fan’s view.

Oct 2: Bulls 104, Pacers 95

The AP reports: Rookie Taj Gibson had 19 points and nine rebounds to help the Chicago Bulls beat the Indiana Pacers 104-95 on Friday night in the preseason opener for both teams. Derrick Rose added 17 points, and Luol Deng and John Salmons had 15 each for the Bulls. Danny Granger led the Pacers with 27 points in 26 minutes. Luther Head scored 14 points, and Brandon Rush scored all 13 of his points in the second half for Indiana. Chicago’s Tyrus Thomas left the game in the third quarter because of a concussion.

Brad Miller has TV show

Chicago Bulls center Brad Miller’s NBA career has tapered off in recent seasons, but his celebrity status just got a boost in the world of people who love the great outdoors.

K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reports:

Miller got to travel the world filming footage for “Country Boys Outdoors,” a new TV show he’s co-hosting that premieres on The Sportsman’s Channel this month.

A self-described “hick” from Kendallville, Ind., who long has been passionate about hunting and fishing, Miller found himself chuckling over his good fortune when he, say, hunted red stagg or rabbits in New Zealand.

“We’ve been filming stuff for over three years,” Miller said.

That’s eight less than the number of seasons the wily veteran has played after leaving Purdue as an undrafted free agent.

“Obviously, you approach the offseasons a little differently now because you’re looking more just to stay healthy,” Miller said. “You don’t recover as much as the young guys. So a lot more Advil, more time icing and just maintaining your body. Or hunting.”

Nothing beats a summer spent doing what you love and getting paid in the process. Dude is lucky.

Aaron Gray out 6-8 weeks

Chicago Bulls center Aaron Gray developed lower leg pain over the last two days. He was examined by team physician Dr. Brian Cole of Midwest Orthopedics at Rush University Medical Center and it was determined that he has a stress fracture of his left fibula. The diagnosis was confirmed by MRI. He is likely out 6-8 weeks.

The 7-0, 270-pound Gray is entering his third NBA season, playing each year with the Bulls.

John Salmons makes up for Bulls losing Ben Gordon

New Detroit Pistons guard Ben Gordon was a big part of the Bulls, on offense at least. Will Chicago miss him? Yes, but John Salmons is more than capable of easing the pain.

John Jackson of the Chicago Sun-Times reports:

The reason no one is sweating the loss of Gordon is the presence of Salmons.

Though he played almost exclusively at small forward since bring acquired from the Sacramento Kings in February last season because of the injury to Deng, Salmons actually has spent most of his career playing shooting guard.

He probably won’t lead the team in scoring like Gordon, but Salmons is more of an all-around player and at 6-6 gives the Bulls more size in the backcourt than they’ve had in years.

”[Salmons] gives you a little more versatility,” coach Vinny Del Negro said. ”We’ll have to wait and see how all that pans out, but you like that length.

Both the Bulls and Pistons will be fun to watch early on in the season as they adjust to summer roster changes.

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Bulls re-sign Aaron Gray

The Chicago Bulls today re-signed center Aaron Gray. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Chicago drafted the 7-0, 270-pound center with the 49th selection in NBA Draft 2007. During his two seasons with the Bulls, he has appeared in 117 games (19 starts), and averaged 3.9 ppg and 3.3 rpg in 11.4 mpg.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Big backup center who can fall into people, take up space, raise his arms, etc.