Holiday makes name quickly with Bulls
The Bulls' injury problems created an opportunity and newcomer Justin Holiday took advantage.
Holiday had already moved ahead of Tony Snell in the playing rotation. On Friday, he joined the starting lineup with both Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler sidelined by injuries.
“He's really gone out there and competed defensively,” coach Fred Hoiberg said before the game. “He's made good, simple plays on offense. He got outside of himself on a couple possessions (Thursday at San Antonio), but he's been a pleasant surprise. He's been smart on the defensive end of the floor.”
The Bulls acquired the 6-foot-6 Holiday from Atlanta for Kirk Hinrich at the trade deadline. Holiday hasn't gotten a ton of playing time in the NBA, but did get a ring as a benchwarmer for the Golden State Warriors last season. The former University of Washington star also spent time with the Philadelphia 76ers, a couple of D-League teams, and played in Hungary and Belgium.
He's the older brother of New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday, while younger brother Aaron and sister Lauren both play at UCLA.
“We didn't have a lot of film on him with his time in Atlanta; he wasn't getting many minutes,” Hoiberg said. “But we' like what we've seen so far. He competes. He gets after it. Hopefully he'll continue to play well the rest of the season.”
Butler shows progress:
Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said Jimmy Butler worked out Thursday night and Friday afternoon, with no setbacks. The Bulls are hoping to get Butler back on Monday in Toronto.
“We'll work him out again the next two days,” Hoiberg said. “Hopefully he'll be ready to go.”
Butler has missed 14 of the last 15 games with a sore left knee. He traveled to Florida on Thursday to get a second opinion from renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews.
“Jimmy feels good. It was great for him to get that reassurance from one of the top doctors in the world,” Hoiberg said. “The next couple of days are important to see where we are and once he gets back, hopefully we'll have him he rest of the season.”
Noah returns to town:
Joakim Noah has been mostly out of sight for the past two months since suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. He was back on the Bulls bench Friday and plans to be around the team the rest of the season.
Noah spent the past several weeks recovering from surgery in his hometown of New York. Coach Fred Hoiberg thinks it should help having him back.
“Jo, he's one of those guys that lights up the room,” Hoiberg said. “Everybody that saw him got a big hug from Jo. He has so much energy.
“He got the sling off last week. He's starting to up his activity a little bit moving that shoulder. He's pretty skinny in that one arm where he isn't able to do much. It's great to have him back in town.”