After reviewing the video, it wasn’t exactly a “Soylent Green is people!” moment to find out that Kirk Hinrich didn’t intend to do any “brushing” of referee Bennie Adams after his suspension on Friday night.
“I was following him, I was still upset. Then he turned, stuck his elbow out and kind of bumped into me. Then I realized I better leave. I was following him. But, I feel like … I don’t know what was going through his head or anything like that. But he stops. Stuck his shoulder and elbow out and the contact was made. I don’t even know why that’s why I’m suspended. If it’s because of contact or what. I haven’t really been told yet. I’m going to try and find out more [Sunday] afternoon, but there’s nothing really I can do about it.”
Nope. Nothing at all. But now the Bulls will be without their starting SG for Tuesday night’s game against the Grizzlies in Memphis. And the status of Derrick Rose — who didn’t attent pratice today — is still uncertain.
Said Bulls el capitan Vinny Del Negro: “Derrick went through a couple loosening drills, non-contact. He’s a little better, but he’s still got some soreness, some strength issues. We’ll get him some therapy, get him some rest, see how he feels [Monday]. Hopefully he can practice a little bit, but [Monday] will determine that.”
What a mess.
The Bulls are currently 1.5 games out of the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot (and 2.5 games out of the sixth and seventh spots). There are 17 games remaining…which means Chicago still has a reasonable chance to make the postseason. However, the margin of error keeps getting smaller.
Schedule check: The Bulls’ next three games — at Memphis, at Dallas, and then at home against the Cavaliers — are going to be tough (although the Mavs did just get killed at home by the Knicks). But then the Bulls have several games against awful teams (including two against the Nets and one each against the Pistons, Sixers, and Wizards) and several against fellow playoff hopefuls (including two against the Bobcats and one each against the Bucks, Heat, and Raptors).
So, realistically, if the Bulls can weather the story of what could turn out to be — gulp! — a nine or 10-game losing streak, they still have a solid opportunity to make up some ground during their stretch run.
The biggest obstacle to a postseason run is health.
Said Vinny: “It’s difficult. But it’s out of your hands. You’ve just got to go with what’s thrown at you. The cards that you’re dealt, you’ve got to deal with them. We’ve had some tough cards and some tough things happen to us. But you’ve got to battle through it. Luckily, nothing’s major. Where there’s some hope we can get everyone back here in the next four days, three days, five days, a week. I don’t know what it is yet. But as soon as we can get everybody together, hopefully we can get on the same page quickly again and get back to playing the way we’re capable of.”
What a joke. Bulls most likely would have lost that game, but it all started with the bogus flagrant. Even though Hinrich looked like he kinda wanted to get tossed, I think Bennie was having a rough day. Where was he when Miller was getting stuck in the face last year??
I bet if it was Lebron or Wade with the “brush,” it would have been overlooked by the league.
Just for some insight I looked at the schedules for end of this season with the 5 team lump at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. The Bulls, Bucks, and Bobacats play 8 of the last 17 on the road – Toronto 8 of the last 15 – Miami 8 of the last 12. With the level of competition, the Bulls have a favorable schedule if they could have a seemingly ‘healthy’ team, the Bobcats have a cake walk , Miami will have some work ahead of them, and Toronto is in a similar position with the Bulls.
Time to put the women and children to bed and get to work. We need some healthy bodies within the next week or so – there are 5 games left for the Bulls against these teams we are battling for a playoff spot.
Yea, I agree our only shot is to get some bodies healthy and give it one last push. Man, after briefly glancing this site, it seems it will be a much more positive and better experience then blog a bull. This will now be my go to. Lets GO BULLS!
Savage,
Everyone else already jumped ship. Good to see a hangnail’s worth of optimism. The Bulls were in a very very similar position last year and were able to make it to the 8th seed. I still think a 6-7 is viable, but some consistent health will be needed.
Yeah, don’t count your chickens before they hatch, Savage. This site has been a bit of a downer lately. Not Mr. McHale’s fault mind you, but I think everyone is a bit depressed by the current situation the Bulls find themselves in.
Brad, Yeah I can see how that can be the case. But at the very least I haven’t been hated on for trying to be what I am. A fan of the Bulls even if they suck.
Oh, you’re among friends here, …it’s just that we are not the only ones here. Glad you found us, though!