April 18--In 1999, Tom Thibodeau served as Jeff Van Gundy's assistant when the Knicks became the first No. 8 seed to advance to the NBA Finals.
The Bulls, who open what they hope will be a similarly long playoff run Saturday against the Bucks, are the Eastern Conference's third seed. But Thibodeau referenced that previous experience -- after a Friday practice in which Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson were full participants -- as an example of what can happen despite a disjointed season.
Thibodeau said all three banged-up players will play Saturday, while Kirk Hinrich, who didn't practice, is questionable with a hyperextended left knee.
"You have to embrace whatever comes your way," Thibodeau said. "This has been a very challenging year with all the injuries and guys in and out. But I've been through that before.
"In '98-99 ... (Marcus) Camby and (Latrell) Sprewell got hurt early in the season and missed most of the regular season and then finally got healthy in the last 10 games. We needed every one of them to get the 8 spot. And then we ended up getting to the Finals. We got healthy as we went along.
"Whatever you're faced with, just do the best you can with it. The guys who are playing, get out there and get the job done. That's the only way you can approach it."
Citing the team's depth -- and surely also because of their health situations -- Thibodeau said Rose and Noah will "roughly be around where they were" regarding playing time. That means about 28 to 32 minutes for Rose, who left Wednesday's regular-season finale as a precaution with left knee soreness.
Noah, who sat the last two games with left hamstring tendinitis that is connected to his surgically repaired left knee, typically plays no more than 32 to 34 minutes. Gibson needed a cortisone shot for his strained left shoulder.
"At this point of the season, it's not as much about minutes. It's performing well while you're out there," Thibodeau said. "If you're playing well and you feel good, you'll play more. If you're not, then you'll play less.
"Right before the All-Star break, Derrick was in a really good rhythm and playing at a high level. And then unfortunately he got hurt and had to get through that. I was glad we had an opportunity to get (him) a handful of games before we got into the playoffs. That helps."
Despite winning three of four during the regular season, the Bulls aren't taking the Bucks lightly. Beyond making the playoffs after posting the league's worst record last season, the Bucks survived losing No. 2 pick Jabari Parker to a torn ACL and a trade-deadline move that jettisoned leading scorer Brandon Knight.
"We expect a lot of them," Mike Dunleavy said. "They're young, energetic, well-coached and we need to get off to a good start in Game 1."
The Bucks led the league by forcing 16.6 turnovers per game. The Bulls committed the ninth-fewest, 13.2 per game, but had games late in the season with turnover issues.
"One of the best things they do is create turnovers, and that's because of their length," Dunleavy said. "We have to do a good job of taking care of the ball and being strong. We know they'll get up into us.
"They don't run a ton of plays. They get into a series and play out of that. So it's difficult to guard. We'll have our hands full."
Layups: Dunleavy spent two seasons with the Bucks before signing with the Bulls, and his father, Mike Dunleavy Sr., coached and played for the franchise. "There's some familiarity with the area and people, but it's a different team," said Dunleavy, who also noted a new coaching staff and ownership group. ... Dunleavy on Nikola Mirotic: "He has a certain air of confidence about him because he had such a great rookie year. We'll see how it goes in the playoffs, but we have high expectations for him. He performs well in the fourth quarter. He makes big shots. Knowing Niko, this will be just another game." ... Via random drawing, the Mavericks won a draft tiebreaker with Bulls, who will draft 22nd behind them.
kcjohnson@tribpub.com
