Thibodeau can't say enough about Noah

There were no limits on the praise given to Joakim Noah by coach Tom Thibodeau after Tuesday's practice.

"Jo was great," Thibodeau said. "Actually, he was terrific."

Of course, Thibodeau was asked to discuss Noah's minutes limit. After Sunday's loss at Oklahoma City, Thibodeau was asked why Noah didn't play down the stretch and replied that his energetic big man "ran out of minutes."

The plan seems to be limiting Noah to 32 minutes per game, due to concerns about his arthroscopic knee surgery last spring. Noah is averaging 30.8 minutes on the season.

"I tried to do the best I could all year," Thibodeau said Tuesday. "I think he's averaging less than 31 minutes a game, but we're going to adhere to what we're asked to do."

Noah admitted his knee was a long way from 100 percent healthy when training camp began, so he has been limited from the start.

After the all-star break, Noah's minutes began to creep higher. Then, after he needed a night off last week at Philadelphia, the limit appears to have returned.

"Basically, he gets subbed at the same time every game," Thibodeau said. "Sometimes, you don't have control over it. If there's not a dead ball and he doesn't get out as quickly as you'd like, we're short-handed and trying to manage it as best we can. Usually, it does work out."

Conditioning concerns Butler:

Jimmy Butler, on whether his teammates are getting worn down while three of the Bulls' top five scorers have been out with injuries.

"You can tell, but I think that's part of the league," he said. "There are a lot of young guys who aren't used to being out there down the stretch. It's important now, especially going into the playoffs."

Conditioning is one of Butler's biggest concerns, since he hasn't played since March 1 and is hoping to return soon.

"You can run, you can ride the bike, but there's no shape like basketball shape," Butler said. "I think guys are going to have to get back in shape, including myself, but I think a few of us will be well rested."

Quiet about playing time:

Joakim Noah was one of the last players to leave the practice court Tuesday, and he declined to speak to reporters. It's possible he didn't want to deal with questions about his minutes and his left knee.

"He's a competitor," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "You try to give him room. I think he understands it."

Thibodeau tried to downplay the general idea of minutes restrictions.

"Going back to last year, Derrick had no minute restrictions and I still didn't play him more than 32 minutes. If he plays well and can play more, great. If not, then he doesn't play. It's not a big deal."

Haley passes away:

Jack Haley probably is best known for playing in exactly one game for the 72-win Bulls of 1995-96. He was on the team mostly because of his friendship with new Bull Dennis Rodman.

But Haley originally was drafted by the Bulls in the fourth round and played in 62 games from 1988-89. He also played for the Nets, Lakers and Spurs in nine NBA seasons.

Haley passed away Monday at 51. The Orange County Register reported the cause of death as heart disease.

Scottie Pippen tweeted this message, "Very sorry to hear my old teammate, Jack Haley, has passed away. Great guy who I stayed in touch with over the years. RIP."