Korver says he enjoyed time with Bulls
There’s one thing Kyle Korver doesn’t miss about Chicago, and it’s predictable considering he spent his early life in Southern California before moving to Iowa.
“I’ve worn my winter coat twice — yesterday and today,” he said before Monday’s game. “It’s a lot different. I don’t miss the drive from the Berto to downtown. But I miss Chicago and the fans, and we had a great team. We were really tight. Lots of great memories here.”
Korver received a warm welcome from fans at the United Center, and they let out a sad groan when he drained his first 3-point attempt of the night. That gave Korver a 3-point basket in 31 straight games, the longest streak of his career.
After two productive seasons in Chicago, Korver was traded to Atlanta last summer, largely because the Bulls would have had to pay the luxury tax on his $5 million salary.
“It was tough,” he said. “For a couple years, we had a group that really bought in and really went for it. Every day. One of the clichés that’s always said is, “Leave it all out on the floor.’
“We had a group that really did that for two years. We had such good chemistry and enjoyed playing with each other.
“So that part was tough, for sure. You go through a lockout; you understand what this NBA business is. No one gets to stay on one team for their whole career anymore. It just doesn’t happen. You understand that and you move on.”
Korver guards Deng:Kyle Korver is a starter in Atlanta and was averaging 10.3 points heading into Monday#146;s contest. He found himself matched up against Luol Deng at the start of the game.#147;I#146;ve got a lot of respect for Lu, just watching how he takes care of his body, plays all those minutes, still practices every day, still does every shootaround, doesn#146;t sit out drills,#148; Korver said before the contest.#147;There#146;s not five guys in the NBA who could do what he does, to play all those minutes and all the responsibilities he has on this team. He#146;s a really tough player, mentally and physically.All-Teague matchup:This game was the second NBA meeting of brothers Jeff and Marquis Teague. They squared off at times during the Dec. 22 game in Atlanta.On Monday, Bulls rookie Marquis didn#146;t check in until the six-minute mark of the fourth quarter, but Hawks coach Larry Drew left Jeff on the floor during garbage time.Five years separate the Teague brothers, who grew up in Indianapolis.#147;It was like the little brother that got on my nerves, because I was so much older than him,#148; Jeff Teague said before the game. #147;My mom made him go everywhere with me, so I#146;d get tired of him and be like, #145;Get away, get away.#146;#147;As we got older, I wanted him around. When I got to high school, I#146;d take him to the park and to the gym. He used to play with us. Now all my friends are his friends.#148;