HoopsHype.com Rumors

A week later, Stern met with union head Larry Fleisher and made a deal. “He does it all by himself,” Reinsdorf said. “I never really enjoy being part of the industry in basketball, because I had no influence. Nothing to say about anything. “You go to NBA meetings and David Stern tells you what to do.” Sports Business Daily

Chicago Bulls, Jerry Reinsdorf, David Stern 

Reinsdorf says he is on better terms with the league these days. The family succession plan calls for the Reinsdorfs to retain their stake in the Bulls, while selling the White Sox. Michael Reinsdorf will take his father’s place. Jerry Reinsdorf said he doesn’t think there’s any baggage left from his disputes with the league. “David and I patched things up,” Reinsdorf said. “We get along real well now. But I act sort of irreverent to him. I think I’m the only guy who busts his balls from time to time.” Stern laughed when told of Reinsdorf’s assessment. “Actually, he’s quite wrong — he has much company in that respect,” Stern said. “His fellow owners have also broken the code, because they know I enjoy it. It makes me better to spar. “We enjoy a good poke back and forth, and we also have a good friendship and we share good memories of very good years.” Sports Business Daily

Chicago Bulls, Jerry Reinsdorf, David Stern 

If the Suns hadn’t been in the Finals, and Jerry Colangelo hadn’t attended that game, who knows whether he would have warmed up to an idea that led to the expansion Diamondbacks? Michael Jordan’s 55 points led to a Bulls victory in Game 4 and left the Suns on the brink of vacation. An incident during the game left Colangelo with a double-dose of ill feelings. He was sitting with his son, Bryan, when he heard a commotion behind him where his wife, Joanie, and mother were. “What’s going on?” Colangelo asked. “The guy behind us told your mom to shut up and sit down,” Joanie said. Arizona Republic

Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors, Michael Jordan, Jerry Colangelo, Bryan Colangelo 

The man who once wanted no part of playing center continues to embrace it and thrive — outplaying Chicago’s Joakim Noah, ranking among the playoff leaders in blocked shots, and raising his rebounding numbers from the regular season, when he averaged a career-low 6.8. All the while, he causes fits for opposing teams by drawing centers out to the perimeter, then sinking silky jumpers over their outstretched arms. “He is our most important player for a reason,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We’ve said that for three seasons. He allows everything to work on both ends of the court.” Miami Herald

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Erik Spoelstra, Joakim Noah 

"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 

Jupiter socialite Filomena Tobias – aka the Miami Heat’s middle finger lady – came out of her self-imposed silence before tonight’s Heat-Bulls playoff game! Through Anthony Barbuto, her lawyer, Tobias acknowledged that her flipping the bird at former University of Florida star and Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah was indeed ill-mannered – but she maintains she didn’t deserve the media dredging up her past, especially her third husband’s mysterious death. “Ms. Tobias has been a devoted Miami Heat fan for as long as she can remember, and like many other devoted fans, she unfortunately allowed her passion for the team to disregard proper fan etiquette. She is only human, and her emotions got the best of her,” Barbuto wrote after consulting with Tobias. “She offers her genuine apologies to anyone she has offended, and she requests that her privacy, as well as the privacy of her family, be respected at this time.” gossipextra.com

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Joakim Noah, Filomena Tobias 

Bradley Beal: Hey @Derrick Rose would hate for u to think I meant any disrespect. Only u know when u r ready to play! Can't wait to see u back out there next yr! Twitter @RealDealBeal23

Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Derrick Rose, Bradley Beal 

When asked how he’d feel if a Wizards teammate made the same decision, Beal had to admit he’d lose some respect for that player. “A little bit. Yeah, I would,” he said. “The type of player (Derrick Rose) is, and the mentality and competitiveness that he has, I think he would have gave it a go. I don’t know what was holding him back. I think he’s scared it’s probably going to happen again and he won’t be the same. But you’re never the same after an injury. But you just have to fight through it and do something else to be able to impact the game. I’m not sure what it is he has to do. I really can’t speak for him.” Washington Post

Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Derrick Rose, Injuries, Bradley Beal 

One reserve the Bulls could bring back is center Nazr Mohammed, who was huge off the bench the last few months. “Yeah, I thought Nazr was tremendous,’’ Thibodeau said. “Hopefully we’ll have an opportunity with him, but again, you don’t know what the market will call for.’’ Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Nazr Mohammed 

Even as outside pressure grew for Rose to return, the Bulls understood that it was not imminent and were content with that. "If we were going to make a mistake, we wanted to make a mistake on the side of caution," Thibodeau said. "We feel good about where he is. He has the whole summer to build more confidence, and that's the important thing. As we said when he first had the surgery, we weren't going to rush him back. And we held to that. I think it was the smart decision." USA Today Sports

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau 

Thibodeau revealed that the plantar fasciitis in Joakim Noah’s right foot could require surgery but that Noah would try rehabilitation first. “That hasn’t been determined,’’ Thibodeau said of Noah undergoing surgery. “Obviously, we’d like to avoid the surgery. He has responded a lot better. He has found something that has worked. “We want him to get completely healthy That will be the focus, getting him back to 100 percent. He needs some rest, as most of the guys do. Same thing with Luol. We have to get him completely healthy again. Those are two players that we’ll be on top of right away.’’ Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Injuries, Joakim Noah 

Coach Tom Thibodeau confirmed one certainty: Jimmy Butler will be starting next season. "I don't see why not," Thibodeau said Friday. "The way he played this year, he earned that spot. He has great versatility. He became much more confident and competent — running pick-and-rolls, catch-and-shoot, putting it on the floor, posting up. His improvement offensively was tremendous. And his defense has gotten better and better, and will continue to improve." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Jimmy Butler 

Thibodeau said rookie Marquis Teague would return to Chicago shortly for team-supervised workouts and also participate in the Vegas Summer League. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Summer League, Marquis Teague 

As usual, Rose is scheduled to do the majority of his training and continued rehabilitation in Santa Monica, Calif., with trainer Rob McClanaghan and other NBA players. That has been Rose's offseason base for years. "He has to keep working," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "I think he’s in a pretty good place mentally. If we were going to make a mistake, we were going to make a mistake on the side of caution. We feel good about where he is. He has the whole summer to build more confidence. That’s the important thing. As we said when he first had the surgery, we weren’t going to rush him back. And we held to that." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose, Injuries 

Rose wandered through the postgame locker room Wednesday night in Miami, offering support and condolences to teammates. He declined an interview request. But his teammates already are looking forward to playing with him next season. "He’s a game changer all by himself," Carlos Boozer said. "Takes the game over anytime he wants to. Makes plays for everybody, makes it easier for everybody. His presence alone will add a lot to our team. "The thing about our team is the three years we’ve been together, we’ haven’t been healthy in a playoff run yet. If we are, we could be scary." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Carlos Boozer, Derrick Rose, Injuries 

KC Johnson: DRose and Noah stayed in Miami and not present at practice facility. Team knew this last night. #Bulls Twitter @KCJHoop

Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah 

KC Johnson: Thibodeau on DRose: "He never quite reached the comfort level he needed to play. So he made the right decision." #Bulls Twitter @KCJHoop

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Derrick Rose, Injuries 

KC Johnson: Thibodeau said they are hoping to avoid surgery on Noah's chronic plantar fasciitis. #Bulls Twitter @KCJHoop

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Injuries, Joakim Noah 

Royce Young: Russ said he talked to Derrick Rose a couple days after his injury. Said Rose told him to "take his time" and "listen to his body." Twitter @dailythunder

Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder, Derrick Rose, Injuries, Russell Westbrook