Rob Grabowski-US Presswire
It’s officially become survival of the fittest as the Chicago Bulls add yet another player to the injured list. Guard, Kirk Hinrich who has been starting in place of the already injured Derrick Rose injured his left elbow Saturday night in the Bulls 93-85 win over the New York Knicks.
Chicago is already thin at the guard spot, and this injury doesn’t help. Granted, Hinrich is listed as day-to-day it still begs the question…
How much more can the Bulls withstand before they completely fold?
Despite all the injuries the Bulls have managed a winning record, currently sitting at 11-8; but could they be using too much energy? Chicago is a .500 team at best without Derrick Rose, but is head coach Tom Thibodeau pushing them to the brink?
It’s only 19 games into a 82 game season and Loul Deng and Joakim Noah lead the NBA in minutes played. In Chicago’s current four games in five nights stretch Deng has played 41:14, 42:23, 42:25, including Saturday night where he played 46:34. Deng has played fewer than 40 minutes only four times in 19 starts. Noah who is playing a career high in minutes averaging 39.8 a game played 44:19 on Saturday.
“I was tired but it’s all worth it right now,” Noah said.
But is really worth it? Or are they’re unrealistic expections being placed on the Bulls this season?
All they have to do is make the playoffs and then Rose will return and guide them to the finals right?
Wrong.
The Bulls aren’t going anywhere near a championship this season, and at this rate players just might run out of gas before the All-Star break.
Now let’s be clear I’m not saying Chicago should wave the white flag and stop showing up; I’m simply saying it’s time reevaluate the situation, because Thibodeau is walking a fine line.
Remind me again what good Derrick Rose’s return will be if Deng and Noah are pushed to physical exhaustion?
