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Hamilton was unable to finish Friday morning's shootaround and was considered a game-time decision, as was Gibson. Hamilton was initially listed as the starter at shooting guard but was replaced by Kyle Korver right before tipoff and did not play in the game. "Taj is moving great," coach Tom Thibodeau said of Gibson. "Each day he's getting better." Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Richard Hamilton, Injuries, Taj Gibson 

Taj Gibson: iHeaven Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Taj Gibson, Steve Jobs 

If Team Nike needed any more motivation, United Brooklyn provided it. If a spot in the Dyckman championship and a rematch with rival Ooh-Way didn’t fuel their competitive fire there was the sight of NBA players Taj Gibson and J.J. Hickson that touched a nerve with the sneaker company’s sponsored all-star squad. “A lot of people kind of counted us out because they brought a couple of good pros and they already have a good team,” Team Nike forward B.J. McFarland said. “A lot of people thought we didn’t have enough to beat them.” New York Post

JJ Hickson, Sneakers, Lockout, Taj Gibson 

In a formality, the Bulls exercised their fourth-year option on forward Taj Gibson for the 2012-13 season. Gibson has averaged 8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 162 games over two seasons, starting 89 times. The Bulls picked Gibson with the 26th pick in the 2009 draft. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Taj Gibson 

The Heat eliminated the Bulls 4-1 in the Eastern Conference finals to advance to the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks. The Bulls put up a good battle before fading, the kind of battle that had the United Center roaring. In the end, though, the odds that were stacked against them prevailed. Those odds were 21/2 to 1, as LeBron James (28 points), Dwyane Wade (21) and Chris Bosh (20) outdueling Derrick Rose (25) in the battle of NBA stars. The Bulls became the 21st consecutive team to lose a conference finals after falling behind 3-1 in the series. The last team to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the conferece finals was the Boston Celtics in 1981. Trailing 77-65 with 3:14 left, the Heat roared back with startling efficiency, outscoring the Bulls 18-3 the rest of the way. ‘‘It’s frustrating,’’ Bulls forward Taj Gibson said. ‘‘That’s a good team, some of the best players in the world. But we just let this one slip through our hands. We were really up, had a nice lead. That’s what’s so frustrating about it.’’ Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Derrick Rose, Taj Gibson 

Noah's Chicago teammates, who shared the same bench in the same vicinity of the same heckler, saw their guy's side of things. "It [the fan's harangue] was really over the line," Bulls forward Taj Gibson said. "It was going on for the entire time Joakim walked back to our bench until he sat down. ... I know the crowd looked at the guy, too, like, 'Come on,' leave him alone, it's over.' "He was really loud. He was a big guy, too. He was intoxicated. When I saw him, I was just surprised, because he kept going and going." NBA.com

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson 

Bulls big man Taj Gibson said the abusive fan targeted Noah relentlessly. "I was able to hear it, but I can't basically say what they were saying," Gibson said. "It was really over the line. It was going on for the entire time Joakim walked back to our bench until he sat down, and they kept getting on him the whole time. At first, he looked, Joakim looked to see who was saying it, and the guy just kept going. I know the crowd -- the crowd looked at the guy, too, like come on, leave him alone, it's over. "He was really loud. He was a big guy, too. He was intoxicated. When I saw him, I was just surprised, because he kept going and going. Normally a fan may say a couple things and sit down, but he just kept going at Joakim. And it was Joakim the entire time. Even when I was sitting on the bench with Joakim, even when the plays were off, he was still going. Basically the whole game." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson 

Berger also reports that Bulls forward Taj Gibson said Noah was the target of a stream of abuse from an intoxicated fan. "The guy just kept going. I know the crowd looked at the guy too, like, 'Come on man, leave him alone. It's over.' But the guy just kept going. ... It was the usual, but in that circumstances, it was heavy because he was really loud. And he was a big guy, too. He was intoxicated. When I saw him, I was surprised, because he just kept going and going. Normally a fan may say a couple of things and then sit down. But he just kept going and going, and it was Joakim the whole time." CBSSports.com

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson 

In the Eastern Conference Finals, however, there’s much more on the line for the Chicago Bulls. “We’ve got a lot of confidence. We’ve been in this situation before, but this is the playoffs now and that’s a tough team,” Taj Gibson said after Friday afternoon’s practice at the Berto Center. “But we’re not shying away from anything. We understand that it’s going to be a hostile environment, but we’re up to the challenge. “Like ‘Thibs’ [Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau] says, ‘We’re going to walk through the fire,’ and right now, we’re walking through it and we’re going through it as a team.” CSN Chicago

Chicago Bulls, Taj Gibson 

Throw in a blocked shot and a defensive presence that helped hold the Heat to one field goal in the first seven and a half minutes of the final quarter, and there was little else Gibson could do. The shame was everyone else doing little, period. "That's what I do -- come in, try to provide a spark every game," Gibson said. "Just wasn't good enough tonight." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Taj Gibson 

Wade warned that the next time he tries to block a shot by Gibson, he’s going to make Gibson pay for posterizing him. Gibson’s response to that: ‘‘Good.’’ ‘‘I’m going to keep going out there making aggressive plays,’’ Gibson said. ‘‘He’s a phenomenal player. It’s playoff basketball. I know that it’s going to come around eventually, but it’s not going to stop the way I play.’’ Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Taj Gibson 

So he’s saying he didn’t go home and watch highlights of his two impressive dunks? Taj Gibson: “I swear, I haven’t even watched any film on it. Everybody just keeps texting me about it, but I honestly didn’t even watch it.” Sports Radio Interviews

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Taj Gibson 

Dwyane Wade gave Taj Gibson his props for dunking over him early in the second period of Sunday night’s 103-82 Bulls victory over the Heat. "First time I got dunked on all year," said Wade. "I’ll take my 90-to-1 (ratio) of my blocks and my dunks (upon). He really got pumped, it was good." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Taj Gibson 

"It was a very athletic play," said Wade. "I knew I didn’t have a chance when I started back-pedaling when I saw him take off. It won’t be the last time I get dunked on." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Taj Gibson 

"I just went up and tried to make a play,'' said Gibson, a major factor again in 23 minutes. "Sometimes you need small plays to inspire the team, and it was one of those that got us a little bit more motivated.'' South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Taj Gibson 

‘‘Knowing Derrick, he’s going to play,’’ forward Taj Gibson said. ‘‘I know he’s not going to sit out a big-time game like this.’’ Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Taj Gibson 

The latest injury, which he suffered on March 18 against the Indiana Pacers, has caused Gibson to wear extra large shoes to give the toe more room to operate. Before the injury he was wearing size 15½ shoes. Now he must get the toe taped before each game and wear size 18 shoes. "I hate it," he said after Monday morning's shootaround. "I hate it. Because it's kind of hard; with [coach Tom Thibodeau's] philosophy, he allows me to switch on multiple positions and it's been kind of rough because the shoe is so big, it has so much room in the front so I don't really know where to get my tracking, or where to get my steps in balance at, so at times it's rough. The tape job is tough, because it's still painful. Just figure out ways to get around [the injuries]." ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Injuries, Taj Gibson 

If the Chicago Bulls can't find a trade offer they like before Thursday's deadline, and don't look for Omer Asik or Taj Gibson to be going anywhere, one option they may consider is waiting to see which players get bought out. ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Trade, Omer Asik, Taj Gibson 

The Bulls are talking to multiple teams about adding perimeter shooting help. Sources said the Bulls have offered draft picks and told teams that Omer Asik and Taj Gibson aren't available for now. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Trade, Omer Asik, Taj Gibson 

The Bulls are seen as a potential last-minute destination for Anthony, who has listed Chicago behind New York as a preferred destination and would sign long-term to play alongside Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer. Luol Deng or Taj Gibson could be in a package for Anthony. Dallas and Houston are also expected to make offers. They're willing to "rent" Anthony, as his short list of teams he would sign with has never included the Mavs or Rockets. New York Daily News

Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Trade, Carmelo Anthony, Luol Deng, Taj Gibson