Boylen says Bulls offense will continue to evolve
Coming back after the all-star break, Bulls coach Jim Boylen suggested the offense will continue to evolve.
The Bulls were running plenty of post-ups when Boylen first took over the job on Dec. 3. Recently, they've switched to a more up-tempo style using multiple guys to bring the ball up the court.
"We're tweaking stuff a little bit, playing out of the elbow a little bit more," Boylen said Thursday at the Advocate Center. "Playing spread but also moving on both sides. There's always a time in this league when you stand. You fill the corners and stand. And there's a time in this league when you need movement. And we're trying to balance that.
"I don't want us to be stagnant. But I don't want us to miss an opportunity either. When you have Lauri Markkanen in the slot and Otto Porter in the corner, the defense is in a dilemma. We have to get in those positions sometimes and try to work through that."
TLC on the shelf:
Forward Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot suffered an oblique contusion in Wednesday's practice, had to sit out Thursday and is questionable for Friday's game in Orlando, according to coach Jim Boylen.
The rest of the injured list hasn't changed. Boylen had no update on Chandler Hutchison, who has been out since Jan. 25 with a toe injury, other than Hutchison is no longer wearing a walking boot.
Rookie center Wendell Carter Jr. is not expected to play again this season after having surgery on his left thumb. But he could be seen dribbling and shooting after Thursday's practice. Carter is expected to have a pin removed from the thumb soon.
Porter talks trade:
Otto Porter Jr. talked about the jolt that comes with getting traded for the first time in his sixth NBA season.
"Anybody gets traded in the middle of the season has some type of effect on them, whether it's moving your family or leaving the organization that you worked really hard for and things like that," he said. "But at the end of the day, it's a business. So you have to deal with it for a couple days, then move on. I did find an apartment. I'm good now. Now I can get some sleep."
Status quo for RoLo:
A year ago at this time, the Bulls tried shutting down veterans Robin Lopez and Justin Holiday, until the league called them on violating the resting rules. This season, Lopez will continue to start. He'd need to be released before March 1 in order to be eligible to participate in the playoffs with a new team.
"RoLo is a big guy for the team and understands how we want to play," coach Jim Boylen said. "His screening is essential to making everyone better. His ability to screen and roll and catch the ball in the pocket makes us all better. We have not discussed a diminished role for him at all."