June 20--First, Taj Gibson sprained his left ankle three times during the regular season and gritted his way through 12 playoff games. Then he allowed the ankle a chance to calm down.
Next, the veteran Bulls big man sought several medical opinions and a comfort level. This being Gibson's first surgery, this was no easy decision.
Finally, on Tuesday, Gibson's determined mentality succumbed to a surgeon's knife.
On Friday, the Bulls announced Gibson, who has battled ankle issues repeatedly over two of the last three seasons, underwent an arthroscopy and repair of his left ankle. The team estimated his rehab process and return to full basketball activity at four months.
Mark Bartelstein, Gibson's Chicago-based agent, expressed optimism Gibson could return before then, citing his ability to play through pain and diligence during previous rehabs. That means Gibson could return for the start of Fred Hoiberg's first training camp in early October.
"Everything went great," Bartelstein said. "There's nothing chronic moving forward. It's like he will have a brand new ankle."
Of the 20 games Gibson missed last season, 17 were because of left ankle issues, featuring the three separate incidents. He missed one game in early November, six games later in November and 10 more in March. He also missed 17 games to two separate sprains in 2012-13 after missing just five games in his first three NBA seasons.
No wonder David Porter, an Indianapolis-based foot specialist, found a badly damaged ligament and bone spurs during surgery.
Gibson, who played all 82 games while finishing second in Sixth Man of the Year voting in 2013-14, has proven to be durable in four seasons and determined in his two injury-plagued campaigns.
He even took a month to reveal he had played through a grade-two ligament tear in his left hand last season, in which he averaged 10.3 points and 6.4 rebounds in 62 games. Gibson's most severe ankle sprain came Feb. 27 against the Timberwolves.
Just before that injury, Gibson revealed his team-first mindset when talking about his persistent problems -- and perhaps hinted at the surgery that finally came this week.
"The doctors told me that's basically going to go away probably after the season is done," Gibson said in late February. "I said, 'Doc, whatever it takes. Just bandage me up. I'm going to get my treatment and do what I can on the court.' No excuses. Try to help my team any way I can."
In May 2014, the Bulls announced Joakim Noah underwent minor arthroscopic left knee surgery and would need eight to 12 weeks of rehab. The knee then plagued Noah throughout last season.
No two injury situations are exactly the same. The Bulls hope Gibson's rehab goes smoother.
kcjohnson@tribpub.com
