Blogs.Bulls.com

Bulls lineup bingo continues

by

Jan 10

The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Chicago Bulls. All opinions expressed by Sam Smith are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Chicago Bulls or their Basketball Operations staff, parent company, partners, or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Bulls and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.

The Bulls lineup bingo continued Saturday as the Bulls opened against the Bucks with their 11th different starting lineup of the season with Derrick Rose added to the injury list.

Rose was declared out before the game with the Bucks after coach Tom Thibodeau said Rose was suffering knee soreness.

It didn’t appear it was serious, and it’s possible that Rose and the Bulls are being cautious in the second of a back to back in the midst of a heavy stretch of games with four in six nights and after that three in four nights before the Western Conference trip later this month.

“Just some knee soreness,” Thibodeau said before the game. “I believe the left (knee).”

Asked it he were concerned, Thibodeau said, “I’m always concerned. He had a little bit of soreness yesterday; just want to see where he is. Just get treatment. He’ll see Dr. (Brian) Cole tonight and we’ll go from there.”

Asked if Rose would take an MRI, Thibodeau said there was none scheduled, but added, “That could change after he sees Dr. Cole. At this time I don’t believe so (for more exams).”

Rose appeared to come through the loss to Washington Friday night with no apparent problems and seemed confident after the game. So it doesn’t likely appear to be a cause for concern.

Thibodeau said there was no word yet on the MRI for Mike Dunleavy on his jammed ankle. He said Dunleavy would consult Dr. Cole and have more information perhaps after the game.

The Bulls went with Kirk Hinrich starting for Rose and Jimmy Butler at small forward. The surprise was Tony Snell getting his first start of the season at shooting guard to go along with Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol. Thibodeau didn’t disclose his starting lineup to media before the game. But it is not uncommon for a coach to not want to break up his reserve unit and rotation as the reserves again have performed well of late behind Aaron Brooks and Taj Gibson.

Snell is the 11th different Bulls player to start a game this season.

What do you think? Leave a comment below: