Howard will try to get Rose to ‘break the ice’
During pregame introductions at the NBA All-Star Game, the players typically play to the crowd — dancing, mugging, doing something silly.
Dwight Howard, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have had no trouble getting into character for that role. What about Derrick Rose, though? He might not fit the mold as well as his fellow all-star starters.
“That’s going to be tough,” Howard agreed before Friday’s game. “We’ve got to come up with something real interesting this year. We’re usually pretty good at that kind of stuff. We have to break the ice. Derrick has to get himself out there.”
Howard and Rose are the two biggest NBA stars who endorse Adidas. They toured China together in 2009 and filmed the popular “Fast Don’t Lie” commercials last season.
“It kind of opened him up a little bit,” Howard said of the television spots. “Everybody knows Derrick is not one of those guys who is outgoing. He doesn’t talk a lot.”
Howard issues warning:
Orlando star Dwight Howard talked about how he sees Derrick Rose as a little brother and is proud of his accomplishments. But then he tacked on a semi-serious word of warning.
“I just tell him one thing, though: Never come down the lane when I’m there,” Howard said.
“I want him to attack the basket. I think the biggest thing I’ve seen from watching his games is he’s learned when to come down the lane, when to pull up for the jump shot. He’s becoming more of a complete player.”
Rose was injured twice last season by hard fouls from Howard, once missing several games with a sprained wrist. There were no Rose-Howard collisions in Friday’s game, however.
Van Gundy praises Thomas:
When asked about the Bulls playing so well without Joakim Noah, Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy offered extended praise for veteran Bulls center Kurt Thomas
“Four of our coaches have coached Kurt in the past, me being one of them. So we’re not surprised,” Van Gundy said before the contest. “Kurt is a great interior defender, whereas Joakim struggles a little bit against bigger, stronger guys inside. Kurt’s very good on the pick-and-pop shooting the ball and he really knows how to play and move the ball. You’re not losing a lot when you’ve got to play Kurt Thomas.”
Rose ready for tweet heat:
Before Friday’s game, Derrick Rose confirmed that he’d take himself off the floor if he wasn’t feeling up to it because of his stomach ulcers.
Wait a minute, wouldn’t that leave an opening for fellow NBA players to send Twitter messages questioning his toughness? Jay Cutler found that out the hard way.
“I think I’ve paid my dues in this league just a little bit,” Rose said with a laugh. “I’ve played through some tough injuries and falls and still went out there and played. They can say what they want to say.”
Bull horns:
The Bulls improved to 27-1 this season when holding opponents to 95 points or less. … Tickets are still available for the annual FestaBulls fundraiser, Monday at the United Center.