Nov. 30--Mike Dunleavy will visit a doctor Monday after experiencing soreness in his surgically repaired back more than nine weeks after offseason surgery.
"We should have a better update after that," Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said.
Back in late September, on the first day of training camp, Dunleavy rejected the eight- to 10-week time frame the Bulls placed on his return, saying he would play when he felt 100 percent and doctors cleared him. Dunleavy since has revealed that eight to 10 weeks should have been for his return to the practice court, not game action.
While never being cleared for practice, Dunleavy had been increasing his individual workouts without incident as recently as last week's West Coast trip. But Dunleavy, who passed the nine-week mark since his surgery Friday, spent Sunday getting treatment at the team's practice facility rather than working out.
Dunleavy, who signed a three-year, $14.4 million deal in July, warned about possible setbacks with his type of surgery in September.
"There's an issue of recurrence with these things," he said. "So it's all about being safe about it."
The Bulls miss Dunleavy's steadying presence at both ends and solid 3-point shooting. Tony Snell has struggled as a starter in Dunleavy's absence.
Point, counterpoint: Aaron Brooks will miss his fourth straight game Monday against the Spurs with his strained left hamstring. Kirk Hinrich is questionable with the hip pointer that knocked him out of the fourth quarter of Friday's loss to the Pacers.
Brooks participated in half-court work during Sunday's practice and got up shots afterward but sat out the full-court portion. Hinrich "didn't do much," according to Hoiberg. Look for E'Twaun Moore to log increased minutes backing up Derrick Rose.
No thanks: Two summers ago, the Spurs pursued Pau Gasol in free agency. Last summer, they chased his brother, Marc, before landing LaMarcus Aldridge.
"Sometimes circumstances, timing stop things from happening and you kind of make your own path and stick with your decisions," Pau said. "Life goes on."
