The Chicago Bulls have been battling with injuries of their basketball stars throughout the previous NBA season. With a disastrous run following the physical impairment of Derrick Rose last season, the Chicago Bulls are eyeing a healthier and more reliable roster. While Jimmy Butler offers a promising start to the ailing NBA team, the up and coming basketball star will still need a more dependable and steadfast group to help him carry the team to victory.
Apart from Derrick Rose, the Chicago Bulls also had to contend with the injuries suffered by another veteran player: Taj Gibson. In the past NBA season, it was revealed that Taj Gibson forced himself to play for the Chicago Bulls despite suffering from an injured ankle - one that required immediate surgery and a lot of bed rest. In an interview with Chicago Tribune, Taj Gibson disclosed that the medical experts were surprised over his ability to still stand - let alone play - with such a badly injured body part.
"When (the doctor) finally went in during surgery, he was astounded how I was able to still play," shared Taj Gibson in the interview, referring to the injury that ailed him throughout his games with the Chicago Bulls in the previous NBA season. The basketball star added, "He said he never knew anybody who could play through so much pain. I just thought it was normal. He was surprised I was even able to run or lift off it. That's how bad it was. But he did a great job. I was just blessed. The way they were all talking during the surgery and after the rehab, I'm lucky and optimistic."
Although Taj Gibson remains positive on his recovery and eventual participation in the training camp of the Chicago Bulls and possible inclusion in the list of starting players this NBA season, the team appear to be apprehensive over his development. Reports claim that the Chicago Bulls are looking at more cautious ways to approach the health concern to avoid complicating Taj Gibson's situation. While this is commendable, the business perspective of the sport should be taken into consideration. With Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah reportedly still all banged up from the previous NBA season, the health concerns related to Taj Gibson seem to be practical reasons for the Chicago Bulls to let him go.
Meanwhile, Joakim Noah appears to be working on collaborating with his teammates this season. The previous NBA season saw Joakim Noah struggle to perform due to his incompatible playing style with Pau Gasol. With the absence of Derrick Rose, the Chicago Bulls saw Jimmy Butler and Pau Gasol take over and attempt to score a victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers last season. However, the uncertainty of Joakim Noah in his offense saw the Chicago Bulls suffer setbacks.
Should this discord in the Chicago Bulls continue, it looks like Derrick Rose and the rest of the team might actually consider playing Taj Gibson alongside Pau Gasol in an effort to utilize the skills of the NBA All-star athlete. "Benching Noah and starting Taj Gibson would finally give Gibson a chance to start like the Bulls had planned in previous years," pointed out Jeremy Karll of Sports Illustrated. He added, "Gibson was the expected starter before the Bulls traded Carlos Boozer for Pau Gasol last offseason." With two conflicting reports, it remains to be seen how the Chicago Bulls intend to dethrone the Golden State Warriors this NBA season.
