Gibson Latest Injured Bull; White Sox Sign LaRoche

November 22, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

On Nov. 22, 2013, Derrick Rose suffered a season-ending injury in a game at Portland. On Nov. 21, 2014, Rose was on the bench with a different injury in what must have seemed like a never-ending game at Portland. Let’s put it this way: Backup center Nazr Mohammed came into the game in the first half with the Bulls trailing. Pretty sure this qualifies as “foreboding,” if this were a book or movie or something akin to creative endeavors. On the bright (?) side, only the most ardent Bulls fans or those with nothing to do early Saturday lasted long enough to view the 105-87 loss.

Video below of Kindly Myers may serve as consolation to Bulls fans.

* As painful as the game might have been for Bulls fans to watch, it was worse for Bulls forward Taj Gibson. He departed with a sprained left ankle. Meaning he joins Derrick Rose, Pau Gasol and Kirk Hinrich as injured Bulls sitting out the contest. Also meaning the Bulls might be leading the NBA in players spending time in the trainer’s room.

* Not to use injuries as an excuse for the Bulls, but Gibson was using crutches and had a walking boot after the game. Seems likely he will be sidelined for at least a few games — unless modern medicine is able to work miracles.

* Speaking optimistically about the Bulls’ loss, there was plenty of playing time for folks who had seen minimal minutes (or close to them) this season. Case in point, E’Twaun Moore had nine points in 24 minutes. He had not played 24 minutes combined in six previous appearances.

* Rookie Nikola Mirotic had a season-high 21 points and 11 rebounds in 35 minutes. Looks like he is more comfortable on the court. Also looks like coach Tom Thibodeau is more comfortable using him.

* Guard Aaron Brooks, who was in the starting lineup. was the only other Bull in double-figure scoring (12 points). Yes, it was that sort of night/game.

* Mike Dunleavy is the only Bulls player to start all 13 games this season. He also is the guy who was called for a flagrant foul for his role in a Damian Lillard three-point attempt. Not sure how it looked in person, but it looked dumb on television. And Dunleavy is not a dumb player.

* Reminder to Jimmy Butler: Star players find ways to score in double digits on nights when they are having trouble shooting the ball. He had nine points on 3-of-13 from the field. His performance also serves as a reminder to Bulls why they and Butler were unable to agree to a contract extension.

* Speaking of contracts, the White Sox reportedly signed free agent Adam LaRoche to a two-year, $25 million deal. He provides a left-handed bat for the starting lineup. Meaning the Sox have had a better week than the Cubs have had a better offseason.

* Not that anyone necessarily cares, but there’s only so much Dave Wannstedt that I can take as a football analyst on Comcast SportsNet. And by “so much” I mean “not much.” He looks a bit like Johnny Carson back in the day doing his used-car salesman Art Fern bit — without the humor. (For those unfamiliar with Art Fern, check him out on the interweb).

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