The Chicago Bulls have been fighting the injury bug all season long. Opening the season with Carlos Boozer’s wrist injury, the Bulls have played only 9 games with their big 3 of Derrick Rose, Boozer and Joakim Noah. They aren’t complaining though, currently tied for the second best record in the Eastern Conference at 33-14.
Their toughness starts with the Bulls all-star point guard Derrick Rose. Playing 46 of their 47 games so far, has fought off a wrist and ankle injury early in the year and has been playing the last few games with two stomach ulcers. He has been playing at a MVP level and keeps the Bulls in every game.
Carlos Boozer has been the most injury prone and one of the biggest issues when the Bulls signed him to his 6-year, $80 million contract this offseason. But after injuring his wrist in the preseason, Boozer worked hard to stay in shape and didn’t miss a beat when he returned to the floor with his teammates. He has been a solid post presence and worked hard on the defensive end as well.
The heart and soul of the Chicago Bulls over the last couple of seasons has been the animated, Joakim Noah. He has been sidelined since December 16 with a right thumb injury. But before making the decision to have surgery, fought through the pain for nine games averaging almost a double-double and continuing to bring the high-tempo energy the Bulls look from him every night.
Even the Bulls bench has had its injuries. Ronnie Brewer struggled with a hamstring and Taj Gibson suffered a concussion this season.
But no matter who takes the court of the Bulls, they bring the same winning attitude. Kurt Thomas has stepped in nicely in the absence of Noah. The 38 year-old veteran is averaging 6 points and 7.5 rebounds in 22 games as a starter. He is playing like an old school enforcer on the defense as an undersized center.
With the all-star break coming up, the Bulls look forward to getting healthy. Noah recently had the pin removed from his thumb and set to make his return in late February-early March. The Bulls are still looking to find a reliable shooting guard by the trade deadline, but no matter what, the Bulls look poised to make a deep run in the playoffs this year.