Boozer returns to practice, hopes to get in game soon

After two weeks on the road, the Bulls returned to the Berto Center and practiced with their projected starting lineup for the first time in two months.

Power forward Carlos Boozer participated in a full practice for the first time since breaking his right hand on Oct. 2. If the pain and swelling stay away, Boozer will most likely take the court Wednesday when the Bulls host Orlando at the United Center.

“I'm going to see how it feels each day,” Boozer told a large crowd of reporters after practice. “I'm going to ice it down and take care of it, get treatment twice a day, maybe three times a day. If the pain and swelling isn't there, I'll play.”

The next obvious question is how did Boozer look during practice. Since the injury was to his hand, he has been able to stay in shape and has been coming in early to learn the offense.

“I thought he was very aggressive,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “He was attacking. I thought he played very good defense. He wasn't shying away from practice. It was very encouraging.”

Center Joakim Noah might benefit the most from Boozer's presence, getting a burly and experienced partner in the paint.

“He's really hungry. He's ready to get out there,” Noah said. “He really likes the team. It was definitely good to have him back.”

For Derrick Rose, it means he now has a formidable pick-and-roll partner. Boozer had been running that play to great success with Utah's Deron Williams the last five years.

“(The chemistry with Rose) will be right there the moment we step out there together,” Boozer predicted. “We've been talking about it all season. I think it will be really easy. I've been running pick and roll for a long time. I'm looking forward to it.”

Rose and Boozer did spend some time working together. Boozer participated in the first four days of double practices before suffering the injury. He was at home and tripped over a gym bag while rushing to answer the door, then broke bones below his pinkie finger while trying to break his fall.

As a result, Boozer hasn't even played in a preseason game with his new team after signing a free-agent deal worth roughly $75 million over five years.

The good news is the Bulls have gone 9-6 without him, posting the first winning record on the annual circus road trip since 1997. They've also played one of the toughest early schedules in the NBA.

“I'm excited,” Boozer said. “We've got a very good group of guys. We get back full force, we should be something to reckon with.”

Boozer has been somewhat injury-prone as a pro. He missed at least 30 games three times during the six seasons he spent with the Jazz.

On Monday, he wore a protective glove on his right hand. It fits on the last two fingers of his right hand and has a padded top to protect the area where the break occurred.

“I'd rather not play with it, but I know it's probably smarter to start off with it,” he said. “So I'm going to start off with it. As soon as I comfortable without it, I'm going take it off.

“There were a couple times it got hit (Monday), which is good. After I got hit, it was a little sore. But it was a good day.”

Shooting the ball was a struggle at first, because Boozer's wrist was immobilized in a cast for five weeks, but it has improved each day, he said.

When Boozer is ready to play, Thibodeau said he'll go right into the starting lineup, with Taj Gibson moving to the bench and forward Luol Deng playing fewer minutes.

Boozer suggested that it will be his call whether he plays against the Magic. Asked if he's ready to play starter's minutes right away, Boozer was direct.

“I hope so. I better,” he said. “That's what I came here for.”