March 10--How do you think the Bulls handled Jimmy Butler's return? -- Jeff, Waukegan
It came just short of the end to the three- to four-week timeline the Bulls released following his MRI exam on Feb. 8. I always kind of guessed he'd be returning for the March 7 Bucks game, so he only came back one game earlier. I was a bit surprised he came back after just one full team practice and without minutes restrictions. But he had been working out hard on his own and in two-on-two sessions for close to two weeks and he obviously felt comfortable enough to try. So did the doctors and trainers. The swelling and slight pain he has experienced since isn't atypical for this situation. Now that he has received some peace of mind with his follow-up exam with Dr. James Andrews, it's up to him when he wants to return. The knee is structurally sound.
At what point do the Bulls re-evaluate their medical/strength and conditioning team? I'm not suggesting they are the cause of the Bulls injury woes, but it would seem to me that we could use some innovative techniques to possibly prevent these annual injury parades. -- Hula, Seedy Back Alley
Hope life in the alley is grand. The Bulls made changes to the department when they hired Jen Swanson as Director of Sports Performance in 2013. Previously, she had overseen Derrick Rose's ACL rehab with Athletes' Performance in Los Angeles. Her hire and the use of analytics to monitor the strain of consecutive minutes on players were supposed to alter the Bulls' injury woes. It hasn't played out that way, which underscores the nature of luck when it comes to injuries. The Bulls have had some doozies. How often do you type the words "spinal tap" in a playoff series or "hematoma removal"? Publicly, the Bulls stand behind their medical personnel. And team physician Brian Cole did repair Derrick Rose's knees successfully three times. But there has been a lot of unnecessary drama with the Bulls and injuries.
There seems to be a lot more fluidity when the offense is run through Rose rather than Butler. Butler holds onto the ball a lot and makes a lot of tough shots while Derrick gets to the rim and gets Pau open shots. Do you agree and do you think the Bulls should run more plays for Derrick when Jimmy gets back? -- Emir, San Jose, Calif.
The tricky part of this is Butler has added ball-handling and effectiveness in pick-and-roll to his game this season. Remember: He has double-digit assist games this season. It's why how well Rose and Butler can play together remains an issue. In theory, it should work great with Butler playing off the ball. But since Butler isn't a great outside shooter, he likes to generate his offense from set plays or him handling the ball. I thought the pairing would be better together this season. It has had flashes. But more often than not, it has featured "my turn, your turn" moments and the very dynamic which your question references. I personally think the offense is best with Rose as the primary ball-handler.
Will the Bulls re-sign Rose next year? -- Nathan, Chicago
Leave it to a high school student to cut to the chase -- not to mention raise what could be a nightmare story to cover. And, yes, I kid about the second part. But that will be a fascinating free agency to cover. It's obviously an impossible question to answer now. So much can happen between now and the summer of 2017. What if Rose continues his recent resurgence and the Bulls compete for a title either this season or next? I don't foresee the latter happening, but until it doesn't, you don't know. What I do know is that Rose has loved playing in Chicago and has taken that responsibility seriously. I do think an element of that has grown tiresome as he has been so scrutinized and analyzed since his ACL tear. And a certain segment of the fan base never has forgiven himself for not playing in 2012-13. Still, leaving wouldn't be easy for him. After all these injuries, winning is even more important to him than before because he has seen flashes of his career mortality. So I think money will play one factor in his decision and winning will play another. Whether the Bulls want him back is also difficult to gauge as of right now. They recognize his talent and the marketing aspect to his standing as the hometown kid. But they've also dealt with a lot of uncertainty regarding his health. This is basically a long-winded way of saying stay tuned. If I had to guess as of right now, I'd guess 51-49 that he's elsewhere on his next deal. But that's how close it is.
With Butler's injury, Dunleavy's recovery and Snell's inconsistency, why haven't the Bulls explored the "buy out" market for wing players? -- Bill, Chicago
They're going to be a luxury tax team and trading Hinrich just to save close to $3 million shows they're cognizant of the bill. To sign a player, they'd have to waive one of their 15 guaranteed deals and sign another. That's not happening.
Isn't trading Hinrich at this point in his career, a few months away from retiring, and after all he's done for this franchise kind of a slap in the face? I know he was running on fumes but wasn't he well liked in the locker room? Is there any chance he returns to the organization in any shape or form? Or is that bridge burned? -- Nicolas, Mar de Plata, Argentina
There's a lot of meat on the bone here. Sports are a business so to call it a slap in the face might be a bit strong. But I wrote at the time and last week in a column about the diminishing accountability within the franchise that Hinrich deserved better. And while I wouldn't overstate his worth at this point, I'd hardly say he was running on fumes this season. He was placed in a good role by the coaching staff and delivered strong defense and solid 3-point shooting. I guarantee he's a better fit than Aaron Brooks for what this team needs now. I also wouldn't assume Hinrich is retiring. But while Hinrich was shocked by the trade, I can see a role for him in the organization whenever his playing career is over. Hinrich doesn't hold grudges.
You've obviously seen Derrick closer than we have. Is his play over the past couple months just a "flash" or has this just been a gradual progression for him? -- Xavier, Baton Rouge, La.
To me, it's obviously been a gradual progression. He has played pretty well since mid-December and very well since Christmas. And it's easy to forget but he didn't just miss training camp; he had to sit inside a darkened house with no activity for 2-3 weeks after the orbital fracture. That sets any player back.
With the way Jimmy and Noah have returned and got re-injured immediately this season, do you think people should realize maybe Rose was right to play it safe, and make the decision on his own to sit out a game or 2, rather than risk another long term injury? -- Chris, Chicago
How dare you try to make sense. The organization didn't do Rose any favors by saying he missed that one game in Charlotte to "general soreness." But I've written consistently and said in various radio appearances consistently that Rose is doing exactly what he needs to do this season after playing just 61 games the last three seasons combined. He needs a season where he plays basketball more than rehabilitates an injury. He needs a season where he plays 65-70 games, a pace for which he's on track. If this involves Rose sitting for a game or two to feel right and getting killed by those who want him to "man up," well, that, to me, is a small price after enduring three knee surgeries.
What's the role of Noah with the team for the rest of the season? With his impending FA status and a bit of a vibe that this might be it for his time in Chicago, it's awkward but his role to lead and galvanize teams is also really important. -- Kaushik, Melbourne
Noah is scheduled back in Chicago this Friday to be around his teammates again. He had chosen to do his initial rehab in New York, where his shoulder surgery was performed. Noah always has been about the team and while he could be elsewhere next season, he cares for the city, franchise and his teammates. He'll be around down the stretch.
Are Bulls fans crazy to think that if we can get healthy and remain healthy we can challenge and even beat any team in the East during playoff time? -- Torey, Pasadena, Calif.
Isn't fan short for fanatical? Since when is fandom supposed to promote sanity? Nothing about this Bulls team would surprise me except a championship. I can see them not making the playoffs or winning a series or two in the playoffs. That's how unpredictable and inconsistent this season has been. So dream on.
