Celtics coach leaves to visit sick player
The Boston Celtics played without head coach Brad Stevens on Thursday at the United Center. Stevens left the team to visit one of his former players from Butler University while assistant Jay Larranaga filled in.
The Celtics' official release asked that the private nature of Stevens' visit be respected. But multiple news outlets reported it was a trip to Indiana to visit Andrew Smith, who has been battling cancer for two years.
Smith was a 6-11 center who played on both of Butler's Final Four teams. He started the national championship game against Connecticut in 2011. Smith was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in January 2014.
According to the Indianapolis Star News, Smith's wife, Samantha, posted an alarming message on Facebook and Twitter this week. "Please pray. Pray so very hard," it read. "We need a miracle and Andrew asked me to have you all rally with us in prayer in this moment."
Hoiberg won't change lineup:
When the Bulls lost at Boston on Dec. 9, it was the first time Taj Gibson joined the starting lineup and he's stayed there ever since.
"I've really liked the lineup," coach Fred Hoiberg said before Thursday's game. "It's been good for us. You get a natural rim-runner. You get a guy who will get out and commit to doing it every time and that's helped. It's helped with our pace, it's helped with our spacing and we'll continue to start this way."
Hoiberg said he plans to stick with the current starting lineup when center Joakim Noah returns soon from a shoulder injury.
"Most likely, (Noah) won't travel with us this weekend, but once we get Jo back in the lineup, hopefully next week, we'll have some decisions to make," Hoiberg said. "We'll start the same way and just strengthen up that second unit a little bit more."
Hoiberg is hoping Noah, who has missed eight games, can return to full-contact practice in the next few days.
Rose thinking more:
Derrick Rose believes his game has changed significantly since going through three knee surgeries.
"Oh yeah, it's a totally different game. I think my IQ of the game has gotten higher," Rose said at Thursday's shootaround. "I think I'm thinking more when I'm out there. It's a more mental game I would say now that I have the injuries."
Coach Fred Hoiberg offered another reminder that Rose's slow start this season was expected.
"I don't think people realize how difficult it is to step in, basically without a training camp (due to a fractured orbital bone), and be expected to go right into your highest gear. That's difficult to do," Hoiberg said. "As he's continued on with this, his pace has been much better, his push has been better and his attack has been better. That's what we need from him."
Bull horns:
Jimmy Butler recorded a steal for the 42nd straight game, tying Scottie Pippen for the second-longest streak in franchise history. Michael Jordan has the longest at 77 games. … Boston's second-leading scorer, Avery Bradley, sat out with a hip injury.