HoopsHype.com Rumors

KC Johnson: Thibodeau on Nazr/LeBron play: "From my angle, I just saw a guy basically flop. And I’m going to leave it at that." #Bulls Twitter @KCJHoop

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Tom Thibodeau, Nazr Mohammed, Referees 

KC Johnson: Thibodeau on Nazr: "I didn’t think it warranted an ejection. I understand a flagrant foul. But an ejection nope." #Bulls Twitter @KCJHoop

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Tom Thibodeau, Nazr Mohammed, Referees 

When everyone else watched Chicago's Nazr Mohammed make a run at James, shove him tumbling onto his back on Friday night, the Bulls witnessed something else: confirmation of a conspiracy. Mohammed earned the ejection, and the rest of these Bulls earned the indignation and outrage that they need for public retaliation. "We're well aware of what's going on," Thibodeau seethed late Friday. "I'm watching how things are going. I watch very closely. What I'm seeing is… "…We'll adjust accordingly." Yahoo! Sports

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Tom Thibodeau, Nazr Mohammed, Referees 

KC Johnson: Nate Robinson: "You see LeBron in a lot of commercials. He's a good actor." #Bulls #Heat Twitter @KCJHoop

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Nate Robinson 

Tim Bontemps: Nazr on ejection: "It’s a different league from when I got into the league. I see a lot of things I didn’t see years ago. I was surprised." Twitter @TimBontemps

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Nazr Mohammed, Referees 

“It’s a different league,” Mohammed said. “I see a lot of things that I didn’t see years ago. That’s the way I was taught to play ball. … You checked people cutting to the rim, you didn’t give away layups, fastbreaks or dunks. You didn’t try to hurt people, but at the same time, you have to earn the two points.” CBSSports.com

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Nazr Mohammed, Referees 

“I’m sitting back here looking at the play and I’m just disappointed,” Mohammed said. “I wanted to be out there so bad. I wanted to help my teammates win the game, and to be back here watching over something like a push … I’m disappointed I let somebody else cause a reaction like that when I knew there was going to be so much of a microscope on the game and the physicality.” CBSSports.com

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Nazr Mohammed, Referees 

His disappointment was genuine, but it was not strictly self-directed. “I’m disappointed because my son was probably watching the game, and I don’t want him to see that type of behavior on the court,” Mohammed said. “But I’m also disappointed that it warranted an ejection for something like a push when I got pushed down first.” CBSSports.com

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Nazr Mohammed, Referees 

Nazr Mohammed: For the kids who were watching... That not the way to react on the basketball court. Twitter @NazrMohammed

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Nazr Mohammed, Referees 

Nazr Mohammed: Hopefully if I'm in the same situation again I will control my emotions but u never know what ur instincts will do. #SeeRed Twitter @NazrMohammed

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Nazr Mohammed, Referees 

“They miss D-Rose in a lot of ways, but mostly at the offensive end,” Heat backcourt mate Mario Chalmers told me. “Not only is he another option, but he’s their main option. You have to respect his ability to drive to the basket. Because they don’t have anyone with his kind of talent, our defense has one less thing to worry about now.” SheridanHoops

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Mario Chalmers, Derrick Rose, Injuries 

Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose needs to get on the court and play, said the former trainer of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. “It’s a mental state for some people,” Tim Grover, the trainer who began working with Jordan in 1989 and Bryant in 2007, said in an interview. “Once he takes that hit and stands back up and sees he’s OK, he’ll be just as good if not better than before.” Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose, Injuries, Tim Grover 

KC Johnson: No fine for Noah, per NBA PR. Mario Chalmers' neck grab of Noah has been upgraded to a flagrant-1 foul. Called a technical on the floor. Twitter @KCJHoop

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Mario Chalmers, Joakim Noah 

Ethan J. Skolnick: Battier agrees with observation that United Center is louder when Bulls t underdog: "Typical rust belt mentality." Twitter @EthanJSkolnick

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Shane Battier 

Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich will miss Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said Friday morning. ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich, Derrick Rose, Injuries 

Chris Mannix: Derrick Rose being out just isn't a story to people close to him. Continue to say they would be shocked if he came back. Twitter @ChrisMannixSI

Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose, Injuries 

Rose hasn't played since tearing his left ACL on April 28, 2012. He underwent surgery on May 12. He hasn't shut the door on returning and has maintained he would be willing to make his debut during the postseason, but a source told ESPN's Josina Anderson that the decision to allow him to return would have to be cleared by Bulls management, including chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Jerry Reinsdorf, Derrick Rose, Injuries 

Bulls center Joakim Noah says he's flattered that Charles Barkley calls him his favorite player. "That means a lot,’’ Noah told FOX Sports Florida about being No. 1 on Barkley’s list. “Chuck was one of my favorite players growing up. He’s always somebody who speaks his mind. And it’s humbling.’ Sulia

Chicago Bulls, Charles Barkley, Joakim Noah 

Jared Zwerling: Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson has been fined $25,000 for verbal abuse of a game official during Game 2. Twitter @JaredZwerling

Chicago Bulls, Taj Gibson 

Deng spoke to the media Thursday for the first time since undergoing a spinal tap to test for spinal meningitis. He has been in and out of the hospital and said he's lost about 15 pounds due to the flu and complications from the spinal tap. He admitted he was scared about his initial illness and acknowledged he isn't sure if or when he will be able to return. "It's hard, man," Deng said of having to sit out. "We've had a long season. I've played with a lot of injuries. I've went through the wrist [injury] with torn ligaments. I had a fractured thumb, I played with it. I just went through all that to be able to play. I just didn't think something besides an injury would keep me out, and that's what makes it really hard. I don't know what you can do." ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Luol Deng, Injuries