Even with Boozer, Bulls stick to plan
The day after complaining about his fourth-quarter minutes, Carlos Boozer delivered some late-game help for against the Phoenix Sun.
He not only dropped in a hook shot with 1:43 remaining to put the Bulls ahead 95-89, he also got a hand up on defense and helped force a Markieff Morris miss on the other end.
Don’t know if anyone is claiming coach Tom Thibodeau caved in to Boozer’s complaints, but Tuesday’s playing time was not out of character.
Yes, before Sacramento, Boozer had sat out the entire fourth quarter in seven of the eight previous games. But when Boozer does play in the fourth, the most common rotation is to bring him in at about the four-minute mark, then back out in the final minute for Taj Gibson, the stronger defender.
That’s exactly what happened in Phoenix. Boozer checked in at 3:46 and left with 34 seconds left.
“You guys, you’ve been around a long time,” Thibodeau told reporters after the game. “This is four years now — I’m not changing. I’m going with the guys who I think give us the best chance to win, I don’t care who they are. So when we hit that six-minute mark it’s based on what we’re doing and what we need, and that’s the way it’s going to be.”
Cow Town, not Clown Town:Mike Dunleavy had a good story brewing, but he probably could use a trip to Klown Kollege.Dunleavy has a contentious history with Sacramento big man DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins was ejected from a game against Milwaukee last season for hitting Dunleavy with a flagrant elbow.The two got tangled up again in Monday#146;s contest, and after the game Cousins was quoted as calling Dunleavy a clown.Dunleavy#146;s response: #147;He called me a clown? I would like to respond, but clowns can#146;t talk. So I#146;ll mime or make him some animal balloons or something.#147;That#146;s the epitome of the pot calling the kettle black. Honestly, I#146;ve never been called that before. I guess there#146;s a first time for everything. I don#146;t have much to say about that. I think his reputation speaks for itself. He#146;s got a short fuse and is easily irritated.#147;You can#146;t really breathe on the guy without him flipping out.#148;All Chicagoans surely cringed at that first claim. Clowns can#146;t talk? Google a show called #147;Bozo#146;s Circus,#148; Mike. They can talk.