By Mike McGraw
Daily Herald Sports Writer
Posted Thursday, April 20, 2006
QUOTE
The playoffs are supposed to bring extra distractions, but Tyson Chandler has his plate particularly full.
Chandler’s wife, Kimberly, will give birth to the couple’s first child any day, and the Bulls are scheduled to play Game 1 of their series against Miami on Saturday.
Chandler said Wednesday the decision has already been made: He will not miss a playoff game for the birth of his daughter.
“Obviously, I want to be there,” he said. “I love my family and I want to be there because it’s a special moment. But if it’s in the middle of a game, I’ll finish the game out, then get there as quickly as possible.”
Even if Chandler gets word that his wife is in labor one morning and a road game is scheduled that night, he plans to stay with the team.
“I’ve got to play the game and try to get back,” he said. “It’s tough, but it is what it is. There’s nothing you can do about it, it just happened that way. I feel like everything will be OK. Definitely I won’t miss a game.”
Chandler is the Bulls’ only player taller than 6-feet-10 beyond rookie Luke Schenscher, and they’ll be trying to deal with massive Miami center Shaquille O’Neal.
Songaila return unlikely: The Bulls must identify the 13 players to be included on their playoff roster by this afternoon. Coach Scott Skiles doesn’t think injured forward Darius Songaila (broken foot) will be on it.
“I’d have to say it’s unlikely,” Skiles said. “I think it’s healing nicely and he could possibly play in the second round. But we can’t eat up a roster spot waiting for the second round.
“Especially with (Chris Duhon’s) back situation and Malik (Allen) has a back (problem), we need to make sure our roster has enough guys that if somebody goes down in the first series, we have enough bodies to play with.”
Songaila, who averaged 9.2 points, has been out since March 10 but may be able to resume physical activity soon. He has the option of becoming a free agent this summer.
Defense doesn’t quit: The Bulls wrapped up their second-straight season of leading the NBA in defensive field-goal percentage. Opponents shot 42.6 percent against the Bulls. Houston finished second at 42.9 percent.
“It means that the guys are working very hard at it and it’s paying off,” coach Scott Skiles said of the achievement. “There’s no magic in that, really. We have a system that we teach and the guys spend the time getting it done.”
The Bulls are the first team to lead the league in this category since San Antonio from 1997-99.
“I bet nobody’s done it with a team this young,” Skiles said. “When you think about that, it’s a great accomplishment for a young team.”
Chandler’s wife, Kimberly, will give birth to the couple’s first child any day, and the Bulls are scheduled to play Game 1 of their series against Miami on Saturday.
Chandler said Wednesday the decision has already been made: He will not miss a playoff game for the birth of his daughter.
“Obviously, I want to be there,” he said. “I love my family and I want to be there because it’s a special moment. But if it’s in the middle of a game, I’ll finish the game out, then get there as quickly as possible.”
Even if Chandler gets word that his wife is in labor one morning and a road game is scheduled that night, he plans to stay with the team.
“I’ve got to play the game and try to get back,” he said. “It’s tough, but it is what it is. There’s nothing you can do about it, it just happened that way. I feel like everything will be OK. Definitely I won’t miss a game.”
Chandler is the Bulls’ only player taller than 6-feet-10 beyond rookie Luke Schenscher, and they’ll be trying to deal with massive Miami center Shaquille O’Neal.
Songaila return unlikely: The Bulls must identify the 13 players to be included on their playoff roster by this afternoon. Coach Scott Skiles doesn’t think injured forward Darius Songaila (broken foot) will be on it.
“I’d have to say it’s unlikely,” Skiles said. “I think it’s healing nicely and he could possibly play in the second round. But we can’t eat up a roster spot waiting for the second round.
“Especially with (Chris Duhon’s) back situation and Malik (Allen) has a back (problem), we need to make sure our roster has enough guys that if somebody goes down in the first series, we have enough bodies to play with.”
Songaila, who averaged 9.2 points, has been out since March 10 but may be able to resume physical activity soon. He has the option of becoming a free agent this summer.
Defense doesn’t quit: The Bulls wrapped up their second-straight season of leading the NBA in defensive field-goal percentage. Opponents shot 42.6 percent against the Bulls. Houston finished second at 42.9 percent.
“It means that the guys are working very hard at it and it’s paying off,” coach Scott Skiles said of the achievement. “There’s no magic in that, really. We have a system that we teach and the guys spend the time getting it done.”
The Bulls are the first team to lead the league in this category since San Antonio from 1997-99.
“I bet nobody’s done it with a team this young,” Skiles said. “When you think about that, it’s a great accomplishment for a young team.”
Good boy, Tyson!
