Carlos Boozer to practice with the
Chicago
Bulls on Monday
Chicago Bulls forward Carlos Boozer said on Friday 26 November that he is sure he would practice with the team on Monday when the Bulls return to Chicago after a gruelling seven-game road
trip.
Boozer, who signed a five-year deal worth almost $80 million during the off-season, but has been sidelined with a broken hand, surprisingly participated in the team’s shoot-around before
their Friday night rematch with Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center.
“It felt good,” said Boozer, who underwent surgery on 5 October. “Got a chance to work out again, worked out Thursday and worked out today [Friday]. It is a little sore and still not strong
enough, but as long as it keeps getting stronger and stronger, it should be pretty soon.”
Bulls first-year head coach Tom Thibodeau was also thrilled with what he saw from Boozer, who appeared to be more comfortable shooting during their drills. “He actually looked good in the
shoot-around today,” he said. “He was making shots. He's been shooting, but he was actually making them today, so that was encouraging.”
However, the former Boston Celtics assistant and defensive coach noted that Boozer needs to get more practice to get his rhythm back because he has not participated in the team’s contact
drills yet, but he is optimistic that the former Duke University standout would be ready to play next week.
“He hasn't gone through contact yet,” said Thibodeau. “The shoot-around was basically shooting, running through offence and just going over the schemes, and he was fine. But it was the first
practice he really went through. Once we get back from the Circus Trip, I expect him to practice.”
Boozer would have to play with a protective sleeve, and he understands he would have a difficult time when returning to action next week. He is expecting that he would still experience hand
soreness, but he would just play through it to help the Bulls in their campaign this season.
The Bulls will have a tough week ahead of them, as they are scheduled to face Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic on Wednesday 1 December, followed by tough games against the Boston Celtics
on 3 December and the Houston Rockets on 4 December.
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