Bulls' Gibson bounces back after hand injury
Something about Taj Gibson didn't seem right. Over a six-game stretch before the all-star break, he averaged 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds.
After Saturday's win over Phoenix, Gibson opened up about what was wrong. The main problem was ligament damage in his left hand, which helps explain why he fumbled away so many rebounds.
"It happened in Cleveland (on Jan. 19). It was severe," Gibson said. "They didn't know what we could do. They put like a big cast on my hand. It was so … oh man, I don't wish that on anybody. I didn't tell anybody until now.
"It's almost kind of healed up now, but (coach Tom Thibodeau) said, 'Never give a team any excuse. Never give a team any kind of trigger point on you to try to slow your game down.' That's why I always remained quiet. Whatever criticism I take, that's what I'm going to take."
That doesn't mean Gibson enjoyed the criticism. It wasn't widespread, but he heard speculation he was upset about losing his projected starting spot to Pau Gasol. That idea had Gibson fired up.
"There was a lot of speculation saying 'he's frustrated'. I'm not that kind of guy," Gibson said. "Whatever team I'm on, whatever teammates I've got, I'm not that kind of guy. I'm team-first. Whatever the team needs, I'm going to put the team first.
"I've never been a guy focused on shots. I've never been a guy focused on minutes. I'm about winning and trying to win a championship. That's the main thing.
"It was frustrating for people to speculate that and put that in my character. That's never been in my character. I've always been a team-first guy. I will never be like that."
That's one reason why Gibson decided to get away during the all-star break. He didn't travel anywhere warm, though, choosing instead to go back home to Brooklyn.
"I normally stay in Chicago every break, just get my body right," he said. "But this time I just needed to get my mind right … trying to focus on what I could do to help the team.
"Thibs just told me he appreciated me going out there and playing through stuff. He wanted me to get my mind and my body right. I just feed off of Thibs. I'm from New York. He always says every day, 'You're from Brooklyn. You're tough.' I just feed off what he preaches to me and just try to do a non-excuse kind of guy and do my job."
The time off seemed to work. Gibson scored a combined 27 points in the first two games after the break, giving the Bulls the usual spark off the bench.
After the win over Phoenix, Thibodeau shared his appreciation for Gibson's talent.
"Taj, he probably doesn't get enough credit for what he does for our team," Thibodeau said. "He's our best low-post defender. Whatever you ask him to do, he does. He's not out there pounding his chest, just go out there and get the job done. He's one of those guys, everybody talks about having a warrior mentality, well, Taj does. He's got a lot of toughness."
The Bulls have been their old, inconsistent selves since the all-star break ended, losing to Detroit and needing a late push to edge Phoenix. If Gibson is feeling healthy again, that could be one missing piece that's been found.
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Bulls game day
Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks at the United Center, 7 p.m.
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Radio: ESPN 1000-AM
Outlook: The Bucks (31-24) made a bold move at the trade deadline, sending PG Brandon Knight to Phoenix and adding last season's rookie of the year Michael Carter-Williams from Philadelphia. Carter-Williams hasn't played for Milwaukee yet because of a toe injury. For the time being, Jerryd Bayless is starting at point guard with newcomers Miles Plumlee and Tyler Ennis contributing off the bench. SF Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently the team's top scorer at 12.0 ppg. The Bulls are 2-0 against the Bucks this season and have won five straight in the series.
Next: Charlotte Hornets at the United Center on Wednesday, 7 p.m.
- Mike McGraw