INDIANAPOLIS – It’s only been two weeks since Bulls big man Daniel Gafford dislocated his right thumb on a deflected pass, but the way he sounded on Wednesday, it’s two weeks too long.
That’s why the center doesn’t want to hear from doctors and rehab specialists any longer, hoping to take the court again in Brooklyn on Friday, when the Bulls take on the Nets.
“Right now, based with how comfortable I am working with it, just working out, getting up shots, a feel for the ball, catching the ball, dunking the ball, things like that, I’m looking to play in Brooklyn [Friday], and if not in Brooklyn then for sure in Toronto [on Sunday],’’ Gafford told the Sun-Times. “I’m trying to take my time to make sure I’m fully recovered, able to come back and do the things I was able to do before the injury. I just want to be comfortable playing with something like this. Been getting my work in, keeping my conditioning up, so it’s just about getting back out there.’’
But then the rookie showed a side of him that has endeared him to teammates and the organization.
While the Bulls have had their share of injuries this season, no one seems to be taking the time away harder than Gafford.
“I’m just trying to stay in the mental state where I’m supporting the team,’’ the 38th overall pick said. “I just want to be out there with the guys – winning or losing. It eats me up alive that I’m not out there with them right now, and I feel a bit of disappointment, shame, a lot of feelings going through my mind right now.’’
Gafford admitted that the death of Kobe Bryant on Sunday, and then finding out a childhood classmate was killed back in Arkansas a day later, has put him in a rough head space lately. Add that to wanting to play, despite a visible cut still on the thumb where the bone came out?
“I think I can still do some things out there,’’ Gafford said. “Even block a shot or two.’’
Reminded that he mostly blocks shots with that right hand, he smiled and said, “It’s mostly my fingertips, so I’m good there.’’
Second stopper?
Obviously Kris Dunn is the defensive stopper for the Bulls on the perimeter, and while Bulls coach Jim Boylen continues to prop second-year forward Chandler Hutchison up, specifically on the defensive end, it isn’t like it’s a 1A and 1B situation.
“We’ve had some situations in the past where we’ve put Hutch on a primary guy,’’ Boylen said, when asked if the two were interchangeable. “Hutch is a guy that we envision being a two-way player that can defend multi-positions. To say I’m going to take Kris off somebody to put [Hutchison] on him, I don’t know if we’re quite there yet. If Kris isn’t in the game, maybe we put Hutch on him. He wants that.’’
Maybe so, but he had some rough defensive moments against the Pacers Wednesday, as T.J. McConnell and Doug McDermott each made him look bad in a two-minute, second-quarter span.
Rising star?
Rookie Coby White said being named in the NBA’s Rising Stars Game over the All-Star Weekend would “mean a lot,’’ but the guard won’t be losing sleep over it either way with the selections scheduled for Friday.
“Hopefully I’ll be one of the ones selected, but like I always say if not, it’s not the end of the world for me,’’ White said. “I won’t let it define who I am. But to represent Chicago in Chicago for All-Star Weekend it would be a big deal for me. It would be a blessing for sure, but you never know.’’
