Bulls figure to add experience for playoff run
The Bulls are gearing up for the playoff push by adding reinforcements.
Step one of that process was releasing rookie forward Erik Murphy on Thursday. The Bulls will likely wait a few days to add anyone to the roster, but there could be multiple players signed, according to a league source.
Among the candidates are guard Ronnie Brewer, who worked out at the Berto Center on Thursday, according to CSN Chicago. Brewer was part of the popular “Bench Mob” from 2010-12. He was released by Houston earlier this season.
Brewer was a very popular teammate during his two seasons with the Bulls. He's a veteran who has been through the NBA playoffs and is also a solid defender.
Veteran point guard Mike James is another potential addition. He was with the Bulls in training camp and early in the season. He knows coach Tom Thibodeau's system and could provide insurance if Kirk Hinrich or D.J. Augustin get hurt during the playoffs.
But there are dozens of potential candidates who have been playing overseas, in the D-League or are waiting at home for an NBA job.
At this point, it's not clear if releasing Murphy will save the Bulls any money. The second-round draft pick from Florida was limited to garbage minutes this season. In his 24 appearances, he averaged just 2.6 minutes and scored a total of 6 points.
Noah won't try to lose:
After Wednesday's win in Atlanta, Joakim Noah had an interesting response when asked about trying to land in a particular playoff seed.
“We're just trying to play good basketball,” Noah said, according to bulls.com. “There's no way in heck we are going to try to lose games to matchup with anybody. Whatever happens happens. We're just going to keep playing our game. Keep winning as much as we can and then I can't wait for the playoffs. Losing games to try to play someone is soft.”
There aren't many scenarios where the Bulls would try to lose games and get a lower seed. For the past few weeks, the No. 3 seed would mean Washington in the first round and No. 4 would draw Brooklyn. The Bulls have had success against the Nets, but they've also been the best team in the East since Jan. 1.
Matching up against Indiana in the second round would probably be a better draw for the Bulls — if they can survive the first round — but the Pacers and Heat are in a dead heat for the No. 1 spot, so that would be tough to predict.
Augustin takes praise in stride:
Coach Tom Thibodeau credited D.J. Augustin for saving the Bulls' season after the win over Atlanta. Augustin joined the Bulls in mid-December after being released by Toronto.
“I don't really pay attention to things like that even though he is my coach and he's making that comment,” Augustin said, according to espn.com. “It's a great thing to hear. But at the same time I don't pay attention to that kind of stuff. These guys are a great team without me, and I'm just trying to come in and do my part.”