Nov. 23--Derrick Rose practiced fully Sunday and said he's aiming to return Tuesday against the Trail Blazers, barring a setback with the left ankle he sprained last Monday.
If Rose returns, that's another offensive option for the Bulls to integrate.
Rose said in training camp that with so many offensive options, there's no reason for him not to average seven assists. That's the unselfish mindset the Bulls need moving forward to keep players happy, egos in check and mismatches recognized.
"It's hard," Rose said about keeping everybody happy. "But at the same time, you have to give yourself up for the team. We have a deep team. ... I think everybody just wants to win games."
After Friday's loss to the Warriors, Pau Gasol offered some strong words about the offensive balance, about needing to recognize mismatches and not merely settle for jumpers. Following film review, coach Fred Hoiberg agreed.
"Late in the game, we missed a couple times to enter the ball into the post when we had mismatches and ended up taking forced jump shots at the end of the shot clock," Hoiberg said. "When Pau has a guard on him and he's got a foot in the paint, we've got to find a way to deliver the ball."
Hoiberg said there were plenty of instances in which the Bulls did recognize mismatches and made the right play, citing some high-low passes from Gasol to Nikola Mirotic. And the first-year coach said he's not concerned about keeping everybody happy in his equal-opportunity offense.
"The big thing is if you cut and move and screen and do the unselfish things, that stuff takes care of itself," Hoiberg said. "With Pau, you give him the ball at the elbow and he can make plays. He's a very good passer. But we can't stand. That's where we need to get better. We've made improvements from where we were at the beginning of the season. But it needs to continue to get better."
As a point guard with scoring ability, Rose said he also has to walk a fine line between attacking and facilitating. But it's a process with which he has grown comfortable over the years.
"You have to get used to how everyone plays," he said. "I'm pretty used to everybody and the way they want the ball and the spot they want the ball. I think I do a good job reading it."
Jimmy Butler, who has taken a more primary ball-handling role in Rose's absence, said he's less worried about the offensive end.
"We've got guys who can score so well on offense, but then you forget how important it is to play defense," he said. "You start thinking you can outscore guys. That's where we have to get better. We've got guys who can score. Everybody on the team and league knows that. But we also have to get stops."
Layups: The Bulls assigned Cameron Bairstow to the Austin (Texas) Spurs of the NBA's Development League. ... Aaron Brooks is improving but didn't practice and is out Tuesday with a strained left hamstring.
kcjohnson@tribpub.com
