Bulls' Deng optimistic he'll be back soon
The day's news was to announce a preseason game between the Bulls and Utah Jazz at London's O2 Arena on Oct. 6. But during a teleconference with British media, reporters wanted to know if Luol Deng's leg injury would prevent him from playing for England in this summer's European championships.
Deng, who became a British citizen two years ago, gave a promising account of his injury, which was diagnosed as the early stages of a stress fracture in his right shin. He hasn't played for the Bulls since Feb. 28.
"I believe that I'm not going to have to have surgery," Deng said. "I think I'll be back playing very soon, hopefully. I think my recovery is going well. I'm feeling a lot better. Sometime this week, I'll probably start running. I haven't done that in almost a month."
Unless he's traded during the summer, Deng will be the focal point of the preseason game in London. Deng was around 7 years old when he and his family moved to the city after escaping civil war in their native Sudan.
He started playing for the Great Britain national team two years ago and carried the squad through two qualifying legs for the European championships in Poland. Britain has first-round games against Slovenia, Spain and Serbia set for September 7, 8 and 9 in Warsaw.
Deng vowed to work with the Bulls when it's time to determine if he's healthy enough to compete at the European event. The 6-foot-8 forward signed a six-year, $71 million contract last summer.
"Chicago has been great in terms of supporting me for playing in the summer and helping my country," he said. "It's going to be something that we need to talk about and come up with a decision all together. It's not just going to be my own decision."
The preseason game in London will be the Bulls' first overseas trip since 1997 when they visited Paris for the McDonald's Cup, a short-lived competition pitting the NBA champion against European teams.
In past years, four NBA teams held a portion of training camp in Europe, but this visit will most likely be shorter and include just one game for the Bulls. Utah is expected to play a second preseason contest in either Madrid or Berlin against a European team.
"I'm thrilled having a chance to play where I grew up in front of friends and family," Deng said. "I'm looking forward to it."
Bulls guard Ben Gordon was born in London and may eventually join Deng on the British national team. Gordon will be a free agent this summer, so he may not be with the Bulls in October.
Rose feeling better: Bulls guard Derrick Rose had treatment Wednesday on his bruised right wrist. He said the injury felt better and the team is hopeful he can play tonight against Miami, although the Bulls will err on the side of caution.
The rookie guard missed his first game of the season Tuesday, when the Bulls beat Detroit 99-91.
Nocioni unhappy: Former Bulls forward Andres Nocioni gave a Spanish interview to a publication called Ole and, not surprisingly, wasn't thrilled with the Feb. 18 trade that sent him to Sacramento, the league's worst team. Here are some excerpts translated by Spain-based Web site HoopsHype. com:
"Sacramento is the worst team and being out here you find out why. There's no chemistry or teamwork. I don't see how this team could be competitive in the West in the near future. The draft is going to save no one.
"Last year, I lost all hope (the other Bulls) would pass me the ball. ... It's the same thing in Sacramento. There are a lot of young guys and individualistic play."
Bulls vs. Miami Heat
Where: United Center, 7 p.m.
TV: TNT
Radio: WMVP 1000-AM
Update: The Bulls shouldn't need a reminder about what happened in the last two games against Miami. They lost in double overtime March 9 on Dwyane Wade's steal and running 3-pointer at the buzzer. The Heat won at the United Center on Feb. 12 when Shawn Marion got loose on an inbounds play for the game-winning dunk with one second left. Marion was traded to Toronto the next morning for Jermaine O'Neal, who has averaged 14.2 points since joining Miami.
Next: Indiana Pacers at the United Center on Saturday, 1 p.m.