'Veteran' tag fits Bulls' Hinrich
Sitting out for two months with an injured right thumb, Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich was forced to think about the future.
Specifically, a day when all he can do is watch NBA basketball, not play it.
"(The long layoff) definitely rejuvenates you," Hinrich said. "For one, you've got fresh legs. And two, you appreciate it more. You realize that someday I'm not going to be able to play. You realize how much you miss it, how much you love it."
Hinrich's return from a torn ligament in his thumb seemed to give the Bulls a lift. They pulled off unexpected victories over Toronto and Cleveland this week and have another chance to impress when San Antonio visits the United Center tonight.
It can be easy to take Hinrich for granted because he's the type of player who does a number of things well but rarely builds eye-popping stat lines. But with the veteran guard back on the floor, the Bulls have seen increased enthusiasm, ball movement and defensive pressure.
They set a season high with 33 assists in Wednesday's victory at Toronto. A night later, they limited Cleveland to 1 point over a five-minute stretch late in the fourth quarter and overtime.
With the Bulls sharing the ball so well, it's probably no coincidence that forward Luol Deng produced a combined 38 points and 22 rebounds in those wins. Derrick Rose raved about the help Hinrich has given him.
"Kirk is always talking to me on the defensive end," Rose said following the win over the Cavs. "He's one of the leaders on the team defensively. I'm happy he's back. My rookie year, I'm blessed to have somebody like Kirk to play with."
Even though he's not starting, Hinrich has been out on the court trying to pump up the starters before tipoff.
At one point in the Toronto game, he thoroughly denied the ball from point guard Roko Ukic, and the Raptors ended up tossing a pass out of bounds.
To put it simply, Hinrich looks like an experienced veteran out on the floor. He's starting to fit the part, too. He turned 28 earlier this month, is in his sixth NBA season, and has grown a scraggly beard that may or may not stay.
"I feel like I've been through a lot in the league, played for a few coaches, had a lot of different teammates," Hinrich said Friday at the Berto Center. "I feel like I learned a lot. Even though it's just my sixth year, I do feel like a veteran."
The Bulls (18-22) could use some guidance these days, with a talented rookie point guard trying to learn the ropes and inexperienced big men such as Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah playing significant minutes. Hinrich often calls out plays even when Rose is handling the ball.
"I think I have a good rapport with all of my teammates," Hinrich said. "I feel comfortable being able to be upfront with them if I see something, to help them."
Hinrich returned about a month sooner than expected after having thumb surgery on Nov. 11. He scored 12 points in each of the last two games, while hitting 6 of 10 shots from 3-point range.
"It got tweaked a little bit a couple of times, but I've been confident because it hurt initially, then it went away pretty quickly," he said.
Tonight's game will mark the midpoint of the Bulls' season, and there's no telling which direction the team will go. But it does seem clear that if the Bulls don't play well, the possibility of significant changes before the Feb. 19 trade deadline increases.
"It's the business we're in," Hinrich said. "If you don't get the job done, things are going to happen. Right now we're on the outside looking in at the playoffs. We want to make the playoffs. We most definitely have things to prove."
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