Not-so-good news out of the Bulls training camp yesterday.
Carlos Boozer, the big free agent acquisition in the off-season, fractured the fifth metacarpal on his right hand and is projected to miss up to eight weeks leading into the beginning of what is expected to be a turnaround season for the legendary franchise.
With a collective sigh heard throughout the Bulls Nation at the mention of the injury that will require surgery, the next, most immediate question is who’s going to step up and fill the role of Boozer.
The good news is that the Bulls have a focused, talented young player in Taj Gibson, who most believe has the ability to perform at an increased level this year, to fill in some serious minutes. But that’s only part of the answer, as Gibson was most-likely going to log 30 plus minutes per game already coming off the bench.
So the question now becomes, who’s next?
This is firmly dependent on how new head coach Tom Thibodeau solves his first challenge as the main man with the game plan.
“The philosophy is not going to change,” Thibodeau told the Low Post News. “We’re still going to be inside/out. We may be more off the dribble to get into the paint, but we’ve got other guys who can post up, Luol, Jo and Omer. We’ll work it out.”
Omer Asik? What about Kurt Thomas?
When asked about the possibility of logging some serious minutes to help the Bulls through this period, the 15-year veteran, who played in 70 games last season with Milwaukee, responded with confidence.
“I feel I’m in great shape right now, I’m healthy, I’m feeling good, and if that number is 20 minutes or 30 minutes, no matter how many minutes are allotted me, I’m ready.”
Exactly the response the team needs.
Not that they can expect big offensive numbers from Thomas, but they can expect a guy who will go in and play physically, hit the open jumper, set a tough pick, and rebound the basketball. As a veteran, playing under a number of different coaches over the years, he should have the versatility to bring to the team whatever Thibodeau asks of him.
The scoring opportunities will go to players like Deng, Gibson and Noah. And I don’t think we’ll hear any complaints early in the season from those three.
The fact of the matter is the Bulls, although they will be tested, could use this as a great opportunity to prepare players to strike out on their own and prove the team’s overall mettle at the start of the season.
Which, in turn, may give Boozer more confidence as he returns he made the right choice coming to a team that very well could win 50 plus games and vie for the number 3 seed in the East when all is said and done.
Maybe, in a roundabout way, it’s better this injury happened at the start of the season as the Bulls begin to define themselves as a team under new guidance and with a number of new players.
It certainly gives them the opportunity to go out and show who they are and what they’re made of.
“I don’t have to try to play like Carlos,” Gibson said when asked about his assessment of the injury to Boozer. “I’ll play my game and help the team any way I can.”
Well put, young man.
Coach Thibodeau, anything you’d like to add?
“We have a resilient group that is very tough-minded,” he said. “We’ll be ready for the start of the season.”
Exactly what Bulls fans need to hear.
There’s no doubt keeping things in perspective and maintaining confidence in the mission are defining characteristics of maturity and the mark of a championship-caliber team. It seems the Bulls have, at least for now, responded in that fashion.
Now let’s see what they can do on the court.
contact antonia@lowpostnews.com
Loading ...
Kurt Thomas was a great sub for Stoudemire in Phoenix before going to Milwaukee. One of the most underrated veterans in the league. It’d be great to see him take the bull by the horns (no pun intended) and put up some big numbers.
Having Rose at PG doesn’t hurt either.
Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t see these guys being that good WITH Boozer, let alone without.
Eric has a point. 50+ wins? Number 3 seed? Wishful thinking, at best. I checked the bios. The author is a Bulls fan.
This may be a blessing in disguise. Taj Gibson has game. Give him the ball. Same with Noah. I would predict the Bulls coming out of this time without Boozer over .500 easily. I’m not a Bulls fan, but definitely a fan of what Paxson put together this summer.
I remember when Kurt Thomas was with the Knicks and he shot 0 for 11 from the floor against one of Tim Floyd’s Bulls teams. Just sayin’
They can win 50 games if both Rose and Noah play like stars. Deng is very solid and Boozer will give them something by playoff time. It’s doable.
Boozer’s injury is one common to boxers. He said he got it trying to brace himself with an open hand after a fall. Is it just me, or do those two things not add up?
You are on to something. They are reporting now that it is indeed a boxers injury and that Boozer is going through a divorce. The implication being that he might have punched a wall or something and broken it. Stay tuned. I hope this is not true. Lying is not a good way to start off any relationship, whether it’s a wife or a franchise that gave you millions.
The Bulls have a nice bench that will carry them through this injury to Boozer. I agree with Jake. This may actually help them find their footing. Watch out for Taj Gibson. All-Star in the next couple years.
Thank you Chicago for taking Boozer away from Utah! He was a cancer and that cancer is now growing in Chicago. You can expect him to play at least 66% of the time and 5% of that time on defense. He plays great O’lay defense. I didn’t call him the Matador for nothing. Oh and he will also be sidelined for months with any boo boo that comes around. Enjoy your new powerless forward. He will give you 20/10 games but he will exchange that for 30/16 for the other team. Still a good minus for the Bulls. You will soon see the cancer called The Boooooooz.
He couldn’t guard Karl Malone’s statue’ shadow as it was moving in the afternoon sun. Now he is your $75 million problem!
seems to me that the jazz fans are haters, jealous or both… if boozer was so bad for your team and now he’s with our bulls, then leave it alone… frankly us bulls fans dont give a rats a** how u feel about boozer… we are happy to have him with us… now go back to that boring state called utah…