Boozer's return means even better days ahead for Bulls
First of all, Carlos Boozer made no promises Tuesday about when he will make his Bulls debut.
It could happen Wednesday when they face Orlando at the United Center, or maybe this weekend when they visit Boston and host Houston.
Following his second full practice at the Berto Center, Boozer was generally noncommittal on the topic.
“When it's ready, I'll be out there,” he said. “Maybe tomorrow, maybe Friday, maybe Saturday.”
Then again, he admitted being beyond anxious to get on the floor after being out since before the first preseason game with a broken right hand.
“I want to play in the worst way,” he said. “I hate sitting out.”
Coach Tom Thibodeau mentioned no setbacks at practice and saw no reason to delay Boozer's return.
“I think his conditioning is really good. He did a good job in practice,” Thibodeau said. “As long as he's comfortable, we're ready to get started.”
Whenever Boozer takes the court, it will be an exciting time for Bulls fans. Already off to a promising 9-6 start against a tough schedule, the team gets to add an all-star power forward, the franchise's first reliable post scorer since Elton Brand at least, maybe Artis Gilmore.
Fitting Boozer into the lineup will be tricky, considering he suffered the injury Oct. 2 after participating in the first four days of double sessions at training camp.
The Bulls can run the same offense they've been learning this season, but Boozer will command the ball in the paint far more than Taj Gibson or Joakim Noah.
“I think Taj can do a lot of things. He can post, he can pick and roll, his jump shot is a lot better than it was a year ago,” Thibodeau said. “Carlos gives you a guy you can run pick-and-roll with, you can post him up.
“We want to be an inside-out team. In order to be successful, you have to be well- balanced. I think we have a great pick-and-roll game with Derrick (Rose) already. I think he'll add to it. I think we'll have a stronger low-post game.”
Many times this season, Rose has had to carry the Bulls' offense. Through Monday's games, Rose was the NBA's second-leading scorer at 26.6 points, trailing Kevin Durant.
No one expects Rose to continue that pace once Boozer is on the floor. But the Bulls need Rose to do his thing, which could mean clearing the lane for one of those athletic finishes at the rim.
Boozer talked Tuesday about doing whatever he can to help Rose out.
“Lately, he's been having to shoot a lot, which is more than he'd like to,” Boozer said. “Obviously, we don't want to wear him down, but we needed his points.
“He makes the game easy because if teams are crazy enough to play him 1-on-1, he'll have his day. Then when he gets double-teamed, it's 4-on-3 behind the ball. It's great when you have a player of that caliber.”
Another change is moving Gibson from starter to reserve. He wore the white jersey of the second string at Tuesday's practice.
In theory, this should be a nice switch for the Bulls, because Gibson can bring better post scoring to the second string. It also means Luol Deng won't have to play as much power forward with the reserves.
Last year Gibson posted a better scoring average as a reserve (9.5 points) than a starter (8.9). He had a long talk with Thibodeau about the impending switch.
“We probably got in trouble (on the road trip) at times relying too much on the jump shot,” Thibodeau said. “So I think (Boozer) gives us something we can go to posting up.
“We need to have a better understanding of how we have to start games. We have to start inside out. If we start with jump shots, often times that fuels the fastbreak for your opponent. That's something we don't want to do.”
Bulls game day
Bulls vs. Orlando Magic at the United Center, 7 p.m. Wednesday
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Radio: WMVP 1000-AM
Update: The Magic had won seven of eight games heading into Tuesday's home date with Detroit. Close games have been a specialty for Orlando, with 5 wins coming by 4 points or fewer. C Dwight Howard (22.6 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.4 blocks) is making a play for MVP, while PG Jameer Nelson (14.6 points) is off to a good start. SG Vince Carter was expected to return from three games off with a bruised left knee against the Pistons. The Bulls went 1-2 against the Magic last season, with both losses by more than 20 points.
Next: Boston Celtics at TD Banknorth Garden, 7 p.m. Friday