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"You have to look at all the aspects of what we're doing, where we are salary-cap wise, what the market calls for," Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau said. Nate had a great year. So we'll evaluate it moving forward. "The thing is about Nate, and again I thought he had a very good year, but in the last month and a half I thought he and Kirk played extremely well together, and Nate was more at the two. I like that versatility, so I wouldn't rule anything out," he continued, implying that Robinson could play off the ball more alongside Rose, who has enough size to defend some shooting guards, or off the bench in tandem with Hinrich. "He's going to have opportunities, so a lot of it is going to be fit and what the market calls for." CSN Chicago

Chicago Bulls, Nate Robinson 

If it was up to Robinson, though, the little man with the big heart would be back in the Windy City. "I would love to. Honestly, I really would, but knowing the guys we have here, I know it's probably limited space for me. But we'll see how it goes. Talk to my agent and stuff like that and figure out what's the best plan for me," the loquacious speedster said. "I love this team, I love these guys and if I could stay here, it would be wonderful." CSN Chicago

Chicago Bulls, Nate Robinson 

Guard Nate Robinson wants to return to the Chicago Bulls next season, but he isn't sure if the team will have enough cap space to keep him. "I would love to (come back)," said Robinson, whose Bulls were eliminated by the Miami Heat on Wednesday. "Honestly, I really would. But knowing the guys that we have here, I know it's probably limited space for me, but we'll see how it goes. (I'll) talk to my agent and stuff like that and figure out what's the best plan for me. God has blessed me this far [to] continue to play the game that I love. I love this team, I love these guys, and if I could stay here it would be wonderful." ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Free Agency, Nate Robinson 

After such a season of thrills, Nate Robinson's likely final home game as a Bull featured him missing all 12 shots with four turnovers. He is the just third player in the last 26 years to miss all 12 or more shots in a playoff game. "Nate's a tough guy," Thibodeau said. "He'll bounce back." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Nate Robinson 

After carrying the Bulls for weeks, Robinson finally crumbled under the weight of the offensive burden. Remember how hot he was in the triple-overtime win against Nets? Robinson met the other extreme in likely his final appearance on the same floor, going 0-for-12 with four turnovers. Criticize Robinson for an awful game, but remember he also represents the main reason the Bulls still are playing. "I just didn't make no shots,'' Robinson said, icing his injured shoulder. "We have another crack at it. You never know. I might go 12-for-12.'' Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Nate Robinson 

KC Johnson: Nate Robinson said he hurt his left shoulder when he fell on that trap where LeBron James went in for breakaway dunk. Twitter @KCJHoop

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Nate Robinson, Injuries 

Mohammed said he'd be "shocked" if his shove of the Heat's LeBron James that led to Mohammed's second- quarter ejection Friday draws a suspension. The Bulls felt James embellished Mohammed's shove, with Thibodeau even calling it a flop. "Nazr is a quiet guy. My father always told me the quiet ones are who you have to worry about," Nate Robinson said of Mohammed's toughness. "I wouldn't put it past Nazr to move him out. Nazr is a great guy." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Nate Robinson, Nazr Mohammed 

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 

Ethan J. Skolnick: Nate Robinson: "We just flat out sucked." Twitter @EthanJSkolnick

Chicago Bulls, Nate Robinson 

One adjustment Miami has to make is the way it defends Robinson. The 5-foot-9 Bulls guard scored a game-high 27 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter. James, who stands 6-foot-8, was asked about the possibility of matching up one-on-one against Robinson. "Wouldn’t be surprised if I matched up with him," James said with a shrug of the shoulders. "I’ll take the challenge with him." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Nate Robinson 

Evans Clinchy: Nate Robinson on expectations for Miami series: "You got Jalen Rose and these guys on TV saying we're going to lose in five or six games." Twitter @evansclinchy

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Nate Robinson 

KC Johnson: Thibodeau on Nate Robinson: "He got knocked around a little bit. It’s all good. A couple stitches. Get out there and get it done." Twitter @KCJHoop

Chicago Bulls, Nate Robinson, Injuries 

Dorell Wright: Shout out to my Brodie @Nate Robinson #str8likeDat #YaBish Twitter @DWRIGHTWAY1

Chicago Bulls, Nate Robinson 

Deng, who had the test Wednesday, wasn't the only ailing Bulls player. Forward Taj Gibson and guard Nate Robinson were also hampered by flu-like symptoms in the Brooklyn Nets' 95-92 victory in Game 6 on Thursday. "It's unusual, but it's all around right now," Thibodeau said of the illnesses. "Everyone's feeling a little under the weather. You just deal with it." Thibodeau said Robinson, who had 18 points and four assists, has been sick for "a while." USA Today Sports

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Luol Deng, Nate Robinson, Injuries, Taj Gibson 

We can only speculate what his role would be in Chicago next season if he resigns with the Bulls, which will have Derrick Rose back, but you can expect a number of other teams to consider Robinson on a multi-year deal. Teams like Dallas and Detroit could be in the market for a veteran guard who can handle the ball and score, but that will be much clearer after the NBA draft in June, when Trey Burke and Michael Carter-Williams are expected to both be selected in the first 14 picks. Other teams like Portland and Phoenix with money to spend and the need for guard depth could also be suitors. ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, Nate Robinson 

After Robinson took exception to Watson trying to clear space for himself by swinging his arm out in Robinson’s direction, Robinson grabbed Watson and drove him into the scorer’s table, where they had to be separated by the referees. Robinson picked up a personal foul on the play, and both were assessed technical fouls, as well. “He pushed me, and I was holding him so I wouldn’t fall into the table,” said Watson, who said he was confused about what he did to earn a technical foul. “It was nothing.” When Watson was asked if he thought it was a cheap shot by Robinson, he made it clear how he feels about his counterpart. “I mean, that’s in his character, so that doesn’t surprise me,” Watson said. New York Post

Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets, Nate Robinson, CJ Watson 

"He's a character now," Thibodeau said of his diminutive, shot-happy backup guard. "I had a good understanding of who he is from my experience with him in Boston. You've got to take the whole package, and the good outweighs the bad." Robinson accepts Thibodeau, the stern coach who seldom smiles in front of news reporters, for whom he is, too. "Everybody knows coach is a drill sergeant. But he has a heart, somewhere in there. I know he does," Robinson said. USA Today Sports

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Nate Robinson 

"I tease coach a lot. It seems like every shot I shoot, he's mad, regardless," Robinson said. "But at the same time, it's basketball. He does a great job putting us in position to be successful." USA Today Sports

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Nate Robinson 

Nate Robinson scored 23 points in the fourth quarter of the Chicago Bulls’ Saturday playoff game against the Brooklyn Nets, leading Chicago to a comeback and forcing overtime at the United Center. This would be impressive on its own, but that number is just one point shy of the Bulls’ franchise record for points in the fourth quarter of a playoff game. Who holds that record? Some guy named Michael Jordan. MJ did it on May 12, 1990, against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Jordan’s performance was not enough to prevent the Sixers, led by current TNT analyst Charles Barkley, from winning the game. Nate did this to give the Bulls a lead at the end of overtime: For The Win

Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordan, Nate Robinson 

Nate Robinson scored 23 points in the fourth quarter of the Chicago Bulls’ Saturday playoff game against the Brooklyn Nets, leading Chicago to a comeback and forcing overtime at the United Center. This would be impressive on its own, but that number is just one point shy of the Bulls’ franchise record for points in the fourth quarter of a playoff game. Who holds that record? Some guy named Michael Jordan. For The Win

Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordan, Nate Robinson