Ah…training camp.
After a couple months during which most Bulls “news” was limited to theorizing about what might happen in the upcoming season, now things are actually happening.
Kinda sorta.
We’re still weeks away from actual games. But at least the players are working out and talking to the media. Which, as far as I’m concerned, is way more interesting than wondering for the umpteenth time when the Bulls might amnesty Carlos Boozer.
So here we go…
Rose PUSHing through the pain
The latest Adidas video about Derrick Rose’s rehab — titled “PUSH” — has been released:
Key quote: “When I’m working out I always say if it’s painful, see how long you can go through it because a normal person would stop right when they feel pain,” he says. “I try to see how long I can go through it because I try to make myself different than other people.”
Rose also said he’s running again. Good to know he’s progressing. And Bulls GM Gar Forman seems pretty certain Rose will return this season.
Everybody Loves Kirk Hinrich:
A few days ago, it came out that Rose — a noted non-recruiter — actually recruited Kirk Hinrich back to the Bulls. Turns out Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau is pretty happy Rose did it.
Said Thibs: ”I think it’s important. They’ve been friends for a long time. They have a lot of respect for each other so I think it was important to Kirk. But I also think Derrick’s leadership has really grown. He’s gotten more comfortable, he’s been here a long time now. I think he felt it was the natural thing to do.”
And Rip Hamilton — who’s had his share of battles with Kirk over the years — was all for bringing Hinrich back too.
Said Hamilton: “When things were going down and C.J. (Watson) left and things like that, I told them, ‘You should go after Kirk, because he’s a guy who can really help us right now
“He was competitive. He wouldn’t back down. Offensively, you try to make a guy quit. You try to make him back down. You’re trying to get an edge. (Hinrich) would always come back.
“You gain respect for that, because sometimes guys back down and they say, ‘I’m not trying to come out and wrassle with you and things like that.’’But he always fought. It’s good to have him on the same side of the fence.”
Kirk’s presence is already being felt. He made the Bulls rookies sing for Derrick Rose’s 24th birthday yesterday.
(And Nate Robinson got Rose the new iPhone 5. Pretty sweet gift.)
Health supposedly not an issue for Deng and Hamilton
Over the summer, Luol Deng opted to forgo surgery on his injured left wrist because he wanted to represent Great Britain in the Olympics. And, obviously, many Bulls fans are worried about it.
Said Thibodeau: “He’s doing all the things he was doing before. So I don’t think it’s an issue.”
Someone asked whether Deng is driving left-handed in practice.
Thibs responded: “Well, he never did that when he was healthy. He’s handling the ball. He’s making plays with his left hand. He’s fine. He’s actually playing at a very high level.”
As for Rip, he once again confirmed he’s fully healthy and excited to get the benefit of a full Bulls training camp this year.
Said Hamilton: “I’m just happy everything is regular. I said it from the beginning of the year, with that many games in a short amount of time, injuries were going to happen. I couldn’t get on the floor. Then when I did get on the floor, Derrick went out. It was crazy. This season is night and day, physically and mentally.”
The Bulls will be happy if Hamilton can stay healthy this season.
