deng and boozer out for the hawks game

[pinkizdead]

rose is the first option. Korver is the second option. 3rd option on offense, taj, noah, and brewer. This is going to be a tough, tough game.
Chicago Bulls forward Carlos Boozer will not play against Atlanta Hawks - ESPN Chicago

DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Chicago Bulls forward Carlos Boozer will miss Friday's game against the Atlanta Hawks, and Luol Deng might join him on the bench for the first time this season.

ESPNChicago.com Bulls blog
The latest news from Bulls reporter Nick Friedell. Blog

Boozer is out after suffering an ankle sprain on Wednesday against the Charlotte Bobcats. Deng, who has started all 63 games this season, has a left thigh bruise and will be a game-time decision against the Hawks, according to Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau.

"[Boozer is] better today, but still, he won't be able to go [Friday]," Thibodeau said. "But a lot better today ... It's just going to be day to day and athletic trainer Fred [Tedeschi] told me that it's better, but he's still got a ways to go."

Boozer fell hard after taking a hit by Kwame Brown, who was called for a flagrant foul on the play. X-rays proved negative and an MRI on his sprained left ankle did not reveal any damage.

"We lose a pretty important piece," Joakim Noah said. "But I think that we're a team that's dealt with adversity all year. And this is a big game so we're excited for the challenge [Friday]."

Boozer missed the first 15 games of the season after breaking his right pinkie on Oct. 2. He is averaging 18.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game in his first season with the Bulls.

If Boozer can't play, Taj Gibson will likely get the start.

"I just want to help my team," Gibson said Thursday. "I hope that Booz gets back. I know we're on a great swing of things, we've been playing as a team. It's going to be tough while he's down, but once again, we have to just pull together and pick up the slack."

Deng averages 17.4 points and 5.8 rebounds in a team-high 39.1 minutes a game. After missing 64 games the past three seasons, Deng and Keith Bogans are the only Bulls to start all 63 games this season.

"[Deng is] moving better [Friday]," Thibodeau said. "That will be a game-time decision. We'll see how he feels after he warms up."

Rasual Butler, who was signed on March 3 after being bought out by the Los Angeles Clippers, will be active for the first time since joining the Bulls.

The Bulls (45-18) have won 11 of 13 and trail Eastern Conference leader Boston by 1½ games

 

[Scoot26]

Didnt even know Deng suffered an injury.

 

[pinkizdead]

I think Deng plays through pain more often than bulls fans suspect.

 

[nwfisch]

rose is the first option. Korver is the second option. 3rd option on offense, taj, noah, and brewer. This is going to be a tough, tough game.
Chicago Bulls forward Carlos Boozer will not play against Atlanta Hawks - ESPN Chicago

Your article says Deng isn't out yet. Don't be so quick to judge.

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

If Boozer and Deng are out then you better believe that Taj Gibson is the 2nd option. He is the best complementary option to go along with Derrick Rose.

 

[pinkizdead]

If Boozer and Deng are out then you better believe that Taj Gibson is the 2nd option. He is the best complementary option to go along with Derrick Rose.

you kind of come off as an analysts for another team, that doesn't really watch bulls games, so you make some outlandish judgments from a stat sheet somewhere.

Do you watch bulls games? I mean, i really don't mean this as an issult, but, Do you? Some of things you say are just outlandish. What in God's name compells you to think taj gibson HAS an offensive game, cause i'd argue he doesn't. After the concussion bogans is a better offensive option and taj gibson, and bogans sucks too. This isn't me being an ass, and i'm sorry if it comes out as such, i'm just befuddled.

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

you kind of come off as an analysts for another team, that doesn't really watch bulls games, so you make some outlandish judgments from a stat sheet somewhere.

Do you watch bulls games? I mean, i really don't mean this as an issult, but, Do you? Some of things you say are just outlandish. What in God's name compells you to think taj gibson HAS an offensive game, cause i'd argue he doesn't. After the concussion bogans is a better offensive option and taj gibson, and bogans sucks too. This isn't me being an ass, and i'm sorry if it comes out as such, i'm just befuddled.

Taj Gibson definitely has a more fundamental role for the Bulls' offense in a line-up of Rose-Bogans-Korver-Gibson-Noah than Kyle Korver does... I don't even think that is a question. It's unfair to say that Gibson doesn't have an offensive game. He has a decent low-post game and can be utilized in a pick-and-pop game with Rose. He has had his shooting struggles, but so has Korver...

I see Korver in the same kind of offensive role as Deng (if Deng doesn't play), and Gibson in the kind of role as Boozer tonight. I really don't see what's so complicated about that... this isn't NBA 2K 11... this is the NBA. Shooters play off of low-post scorers and not vice versa.

 

[WindyCity7]

deng & los damn

 

[Diddy1122]

Nowhere does it say Deng is out. He's a gametime decision & I'm betting he suits up for this game. He's played injured more than most people know & he's never once spoken up or complained about it this year.

 

[pinkizdead]

Taj Gibson definitely has a more fundmental role for the Bulls' offense in a line-up of Rose-Bogans-Korver-Gibson-Noah than Kyle Korver does... I don't even think that is a question. It's unfair to say that Gibson doesn't have an offensive game. He has a decent low-post game and can be untilized in a pick-and-pop game with Rose. He has had his shooting struggles, but so has Korver...

I see Korver in the same kind of offensive role as Deng (if Deng doesn't play), and Gibson in the kind of role as Boozer tonight. I really don't see what's so complicated about that... this isn't NBA 2K 11... this is the NBA. Shooters play off of low-post scorers and not vice versa.

guess you were right. taj plays a hell of a lot better with the starters.

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

deng and boozer......noooooooesssssss

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

guess you were right. taj plays a hell of a lot better with the starters.

Well, Tom Thibodeau did the right thing by bringing Taj off the bench and allowing him to play with Watson, Brewer, Korver in the second unit to provide a little spark.

The Noah-Thomas combo really did the job by not screwing up the team offensively. The Bulls were really just able to take what the Hawks gave them and it really paid off...