Hoiberg: Wade a 'rock star' leader
The Cleveland Cavaliers won their first NBA title last season and are again the top contender in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls are not generally expected to vie for a championship, but coach Fred Hoiberg doesn't think that diminishes Dwyane Wade's arrival in Chicago.
“Dwyane's been unbelievable for this group of guys. Not only our young guys, but the veterans as well,” Hoiberg said. “He's just provided such strong leadership for this group. You always see him with his arm around somebody, whether it's Jimmy (Butler), whether it's Denzel (Valentine).
“From A to Z, he's been awesome in the leadership department. Obviously what he does on the court speaks for itself. He still puts up good numbers, and he's still a guy you can get the ball to late in the game. More importantly, what he's done off the court getting everybody together, the team bonding activities, he's absolutely been a rock star in that area.”
McDermott may practice soon:
When Doug McDermott returns to practice, it might be in the suburbs with the D-League's Windy City Bulls. McDermott has been out since Nov. 12 with a concussion, but the Bulls are hoping he'll be cleared for full-contact practice as soon as Friday evening.
“He's going to have to go through some practices before he's fully cleared,” coach Fred Hoiberg said. “It's a step in the right direction, he news we got yesterday.”
The Bulls are in the midst of playing four games in five nights and won't have any full practices for a while. The Windy City Bulls are on the road this weekend, so their next likely practice will be Monday. If McDermott participated in a couple workouts, he might conceivably be ready to play next Thursday when the Bulls host San Antonio.
“I think a big thing for him is the mental hurdle of going out there and getting hit and the physicality that this game presents,” Hoiberg said. “So that's going to be as big as anything for Doug to clear that final hurdle.”
Walk of shame:
There was plenty of action before Friday's game as a huge crowd of photographers waited for the Cavaliers bus to arrive. This was the day when LeBron James would pay off his World Series wager with Dwyane Wade by walking into the United Center wearing a Cubs uniform.
Wade was there to greet James at the bus and they walked down the hallway together. Cubs mascot Clark was there to watch. The Bulls showed video of the event on the board during the second quarter.
“It's all in good fun,” Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said. “He and Dwyane obviously have an unbelievable relationship, two very good friends that won championships together, so pretty cool.”
Bulls horns:
Coach Fred Hoiberg said Dwyane Wade would not make the trip to Dallas for the second leg of a back-to-back on Saturday. … Former Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy was not in uniform for the Cavs on Friday because of a concussion.