March 01--The Bulls merely watched film and individually put up shots Saturday at the Advocate Center, but no team gathering is complete without a health update.
Taj Gibson's sprained left ankle remained "sore," according to coach Tom Thibodeau, and the forward is highly likely to miss his 10th game and ninth to ankle issues Sunday against the Clippers. Gibson's latest tweak to the injury didn't require an MRI.
Pau Gasol returned from illness to shoot, and Thibodeau thinks "Pau will be fine" for Sunday.
And Derrick Rose, out four to six weeks after Friday's arthroscopic right knee surgery, began his rehabilitation.
"It's just the initial steps," Thibodeau said. "We're cautiously optimistic. He's in good spirits on it. So that's good.
"(Rehab) is mapped out with the medical people. The one thing about Derrick is he has been through a few of them and he'll follow the plan. So hopefully everything goes fine."
Rookie Nikola Mirotic talked briefly to Rose and summarized his teammates' feelings.
"We know that it's a tough moment for him," Mirotic said. "Everyone is here to support him. I really feel bad, still in shock what happened to him."
Jimmy Buckets: Thibodeau closed Friday's victory featuring Jimmy Butler as the primary ball-handler in pick-and-roll situations. Thibodeau called Butler's basketball IQ "extremely high."
"The biggest thing with Jimmy is he's getting better at recognizing situations," Mike Dunleavy said. "He's really evolving from a guy who can just kind of get baskets to handling the ball and getting baskets and now handling the ball and making plays for people. It's great to see. He's another weapon for us."
Layups: With Gasol and Gibson out Friday, 16-year veteran Nazr Mohammed played his first rotation minutes since Jan. 22. "Nazr is a great pro," Thibodeau said. "He's in every day, upbeat, great with everyone." ... Gibson revealed via his Instagram account that he and Thibodeau have had long talks about Anthony Mason, who died Saturday at 48. Thibodeau's tenure with the Knicks just missed overlapping Mason's. "He did a lot for New York and was a terrific player there for a long time and a really good person," Thibodeau said. "Sad day for the NBA. Condolences to his family. He'll be missed."
