Bulls’ Boozer better but still questionable
When practice ended Sunday at the Berto Center, Carlos Boozer was on the floor shooting baskets with his teammates.
The previous two days, he was out of sight in the training room, getting treatment for a turf toe injury on his right foot.
So maybe that’s an encouraging sign, but the Bulls aren’t sure where he stands as far as playing in Game 1 against Atlanta on Monday. Boozer did not scrimmage with the team Sunday and didn’t speak to reporters.
“Basically, he just did a little more shooting. He’s moving a lot better,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “He’s feeling a lot better. We’ll see what he can do tomorrow.
“Each day he’s gotten better and better, so we’re encouraged by that. We’ll see if he can get through the shootaround tomorrow and we’ll let him warm up tomorrow night and see if he’s ready to go.”
Giving thanks:During his coach of the year news conference, Tom Thibodeau thanked most every member of the 2008 Celtics championship team by name.#147;I#146;m indebted to them. I wouldn#146;t be here if it wasn#146;t for them,#148; he said. #147;Winning that championship was something I#146;ll never forget. I learned a lot from being there.#148;Thibodeau went on to thank other players he has coached #8212; Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, Shane Battier, Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson, Charles Oakley, Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston.#147;You learn a lot from the opposing players. I learned a lot from (Michael) Jordan and (Scottie) Pippen,#148; Thibodeau said. #147;One of the great things about being here this year was getting to know Scottie and what a great guy he is. I didn#146;t feel that was true when we were competing against him, but he#146;s a joy to be around and I can see why he#146;s so special.#148;Thibodeau also acknowledged six current Bulls who watched the ceremony at the Berto Center.#147;Thanks for coming,#148; he said. #147;But I#146;d rather you get some rest.#148;Family support:Tom Thibodeau credited his parents for the inspiration to work hard. His father was a purchasing agent for a steel company when Tom grew up in New Britain, Conn.#147;My parents, every day how hard they worked, the example they set,#148; he said. #147;My family is a great source or support, but it really started with my parents. My dad was more of a patience guy; my mom brought fire.#148;Thibodeau started following basketball because his father was a St. Bonaventure fan during the era when Bob Lanier led the school to the Final Four in 1970. He attended his first NBA game at New York#146;s Madison Square Garden in the mid-#146;60s.He has the reputation as someone who never leaves the office and makes basketball his sole pursuit in life, but Thibodeau touched on that topic Sunday.#147;I know a lot#146;s been said about I never eat, I never sleep, I never go home,#148; he said. #147;I do go home. You have to be balanced. Once we get the work done, we go home and we relax like everybody else and get ready for the next day.#148;First-time winners:Tom Thibodeau was named coach of the year in his first season as an NBA head coach. He spent 20 years as an assistant before finally being hired by the Bulls last summer.The feat of someone getting that honor in his initial season as an NBA head coach is not unusual.The list includes Rick Carlisle (Detroit 2002), Doc Rivers (Orlando 2000), Larry Bird (Indiana 1998) #8212; and Avery Johnson (Dallas 2006), if you ignore the 18 games the previous season when he took over for Don Nelson.