March 20--Taj Gibson has only one more hurdle to clear before suiting up tonight against the Raptors.
Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said the team will "double-check" his left ankle, which he severely sprained Feb. 27, in pregame warmups.
"If everything's good," Thibodeau said, "he'll go."
Jimmy Butler (left elbow) won't play tonight, but Thibodeau said he is "real close" -- meaning Saturday's game at Detroit is a possibility.
And Derrick Rose, recovering from a minor knee operation, is one step away from returning to the court. Granted it's a big step -- taking contact.
For now the team is simply happy about Gibson's pending return. The power forward is averaging 10.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 28.1 minutes.
Asked about his attributes, Thibodeau replied: "His versatility to defend the 4 or 5 (center). The rebounding, the shot-blocking, the low-post scoring, the physicality. He brings a lot to the team and he's a team-first guy."
Said Pau Gasol: "He works hard, he brings a lot of energy, athletic, makes plays on both sides of the floor. He's unselfish. He has potential to become an even better player. This year, he hasn't had the opportunity to have much consistency with his constant sprained ankles, but hopefully the best is yet to come.''
tgreenstein@tribpub.com
