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Keeping up with Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose proved difficult Monday (Feb. 20). Returning from an injury — back spasms — that had sidelined him five games, Rose had a game-high 23 points in 34:54 as the Bulls defeated the Atlanta Hawks 90-79 at the United Center.
Demonstrating his quickness and explosive first step, Rose also was able to provide a sidestep — by bypassing any postgame media sessions in the locker room. He did stop to chat oncourt with ESPN’s Doris Burke as part of the cable network’s President’s Day telecast.
Looking for a starting five? This Luvabulls quintet would appear all set.
Of course, the media assembled in the Bulls locker room was unaware initially that Rose had exited and would not be speaking. So it was an interesting scene of about 20 or so gathered around his locker in anticipation. Some of us — especially those of us who would have had lousy locations for trying to be part of any interview session with Rose — decided to talk to others in the locker room. In the midst of all that, the word apparently came down that Rose would not be speaking. The cluster of media dispersed to various corners of the locker room in search of sound bites from assorted players.
You had to be there to appreciate it. OK, you didn’t; but it would have helped.
With guard CJ Watson out with a mild concussion, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau gave Mike James and John Lucas III more playing time than they usually see. James had seven points in 12:38 and was the first guard off the bench. Lucas scor 10 in 13:49.
Of his mix-and-match lineups, Thibodeau said, “These guys have played well together at times. Would prefer to have the same group? Yes.
“We have four really good point guards. When Derrick plays, he’s going to gibble up most of those minutes. CJ is the backup and John and Mike will get in the mix depending on John Lucas has played terrific for us all year. He has a lot of confidence and is not afraid [to take] the big shot. Defensively, he knows what we are trying to get done.”
That said, the Bulls had trouble getting it done defensively against Atlanta backup guard Jannero Pargo. The Chicago native and former Bulls player had a team-high 19 points, including 5-of-8 from three-point range.
“It’s always fun to be at home,” Pargo said.
Probably more fun if you win.
And now for some lovely Luvabulls videos, followed by some Bulls postgame interviews:
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the NBA, the New York Knicks lost to the New Jersey Nets 100-92 at Madison Square Garden. Meaning the legend of Knicks guard Jeremy Lin took a moment to stagnate. Speaking of legends, here is Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue model Chrissy Teigen. She dates singer John Legend. The couple has been known to attend Knicks games.
Yes, this is a heckuva way to justify running some video of Chrissy. Especially when justification really isn’t necessary.
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