Last season and earlier this season Coach Tom Thibodeau would go to great lengths to push his players in games. But lately with all the injuries, Thibodeau seems to have changed his philosophy.
It appears that Thibs finally gets that you can rest players; that it’s not the worst thing that can happen. For example, Rip Hamilton who has been nursing a groin injury since the beginning of the season; playing when he should have been out. I’m talking about the Detroit and Miami games. Now Thibodeau stated that he is day-to-day until he is 100 percent.
Another player and your most important, Derrick Rose, has had several injuries this year. First it started with the sprained toe/turf toe and now the back spasms. Coach Thibodeau should have been resting him a lot more than he has. I know Derrick is your best player but it’s the regular season. Rest when you have the opportunities now, so you have him at 100 percent for the playoffs. The Bulls have had several games that they have led by 20+ points and Derrick was still in the game. Why? Let him rest. Derrick doesn’t know anything other than giving everything he has while he is out on the floor.
A good sign that Thibodeau is learning was tonight in New Orleans. Even though I would have liked to see Derrick sit the whole game, he only played 22 minutes. I would hope for the same against the Bobcats. They really lack in talent and the Bulls should be capable of winning with CJ Watson in there.
With Thibodeau sitting Hamilton until he is healthy and now limiting Derrick in a game, hopefully he has finally learned that you can pick and choose games in this shortened season to limit and sit players.
Filed under: Chicago Bulls
Tags: Chicago Bulls, CJ Watson, Derrick Rose, Ethan Kmieciak, NBA, Rip Hamilton, Tom Thibodeau
