Bulls News: Latest Updates on Derrick Rose, Pau Gasol Injuries and More
Chicago Bulls injury updates are almost like a rite of passage for every NBA season, and the 2014-15 campaign is no different.
Fortunately, Derrick Rose has not suffered any debilitating, long-term injuries in the early going, but he has been in and out of the lineup all year. What’s more, his new teammate Pau Gasol is dealing with a minor health issue of his own, which is concerning for a team that needs his offense.
With that in mind, read on to find out the latest from the Windy City.
Derrick Rose Injury
Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago passed along an update on Rose before Chicago’s showdown with the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday:
"Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose was not in the lineup on Monday night because of a strained left hamstring. '[It's] getting better every day, still taking my time,' Rose said after Monday's shootaround. '[The hamstring] is just calming down. It's not as sore, just really trying to listen to my body again and get the most out of every day.'
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Monday’s game marked the sixth time that Rose has missed action this season with hamstring or ankle problems. The latest setback came in the final minutes of a win over the Toronto Raptors when he lost his balance and fell to the floor in pain.
Friedell passed along some more reaction from Rose:
Bulls fans are undoubtedly frustrated by the missed time from their star point guard, especially given Rose’s injury history over the past two-plus seasons. However, taking the long-term approach with any ailments, no matter how big or small, is the right path for this Bulls team.
November games against the Clippers are far less important than eventual May showdowns with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs. Rose seems to understand that.
Chicago has serious title aspirations this season, but it needs Rose healthy for that to be a realistic possibility. Resting him now and preventing any serious issues will pay dividends when the Bulls are grinding in the postseason.
Pau Gasol Injury
Arash Markazi of ESPN provided an update on Gasol before Monday’s game:
It is only a strain, so there is probably not much reason to worry for Bulls fans, but Nate Duncan of Basketball Insiders took the glass half-empty approach:
Much like Rose, it is best for the Bulls to err on the side of caution with Gasol. He may not have the devastating injuries in the past that Rose does, but he is 34 years old and has a lot of basketball mileage on his legs.
What’s more, the Bulls have Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson to man the paint until Gasol comes back. You could do a lot worse than a Noah-Gibson combination when fully healthy, so Chicago should be able to tread water until Gasol returns.
Gasol’s Free-Agency Decision Process
With the Bulls visiting Los Angeles on Monday (for a game against the Clippers in the Staples Center), questions about Gasol’s decision to leave the Lakers were only natural. Friedell passed along the big man’s response:
It is clear that Kobe Bryant and Gasol had a close relationship, and it is no wonder that the two combined to bring championship hardware back to the Purple and Gold. However, it also wasn’t difficult to see the short-term writing on the wall when it came to the Lakers entering the 2014-15 season, and Gasol is in the stretch run of his career.
Competing for championships clearly took precedent over loyalty to the Lakers.
It remains to be seen whether he made the right choice, but it’s a fairly safe bet that Chicago is going to experience more success in the next couple of seasons than the Lakers.
Gasol did all he could in purple and gold, and he has the jewelry to prove it. Now he wants a matching ring in a Bulls uniform.
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