Deng out "a while", Gibson likely out Thursday Options

[Balta1701-B]

This ought to be fun. Can Derrick Rose single handedly beat any team in the league? We're about to find out.

The Bulls announced Wednesday that forward Luol Deng (strained right calf) will be out "a while" and figures to miss at least two games after an MRI this morning confirmed the injury.

"He has a little calf issue, a little strain," coach Vinny Del Negro said of Deng. "We'll see how he feels, but I think he's gonna be out for a while. I don't know how long."

Also, rookie Taj Gibson is questionable for Thursday's game against the Orlando Magic with plantar fasciitis in both feet. Gibson has been playing with the injury since training camp, but was noticeably hampered in Tuesday's loss against the Utah Jazz. He was scoreless with one rebound before fouling out in 12 minutes.

"I don't know yet," Del Negro said when asked if Gibson would play against the Magic. "His plantar fasciitis was really acting up and he was sore and I sat him today.

"We really have to find some bodies. Maybe we'll just play small tomorrow. Real small. I don't know yet. But it's hard to do that when you have that guy in the middle down in Orlando."

I want to see Rose guarding Howard.

[eddog2]

This ought to be fun. Can Derrick Rose single handedly beat any team in the league? We're about to find out.
I want to see Rose guarding Howard.

It sounds like Vinny is directly trying to call out Deng for not playing through a minor injury. I wonder if this team is starting to quit on Del Negro. They have all had nagging injuries that he has questioned. They are not playing with as much heart lately. Maybe management wanted this team to be in the lottery again. Everyone knows that we won't be winning any titles this year or with this group unless we add a lot more talent. We traded Salmons to the Bucks and Tyrus to the Bobcats. Both the Bucks and Bobcats are teams that were competing with us for a playoff spot so I somewhat question those moves. Maybe management felt that they still had the talent after the moves to make the playoffs but those moves might help push us into the lottery and might pull playoff revenue out of JR's pockets. If we somehow strike gold again in the lottery and add a top tier free agent this team is set for a long run.