Nazr Mohammed looking forward eager to play with Chicago Bulls next season – NBA News
After a career spanning 14 years which saw him playing for numerous teams in the NBA, Nazr Mohammed will be returning to his hometown of Chicago for next season, when he will wear the jersey of the Bulls and fulfil his dream of
playing for the basketball club he grew up idolizing. Mohammed, 34, grew up in Chicago and played for Kenwood Academy before going to Kentucky for college.
Mohammed had an interview with the Chicago Tribune live crew and said that he was looking forward to playing for the Bulls next season, even though he knows it will be a tough one with the Bulls All Star point guard Derrick Rose
recovering from ACL surgery on his knee.
“It's huge, when you're talking about an MVP-type player, an All-Star, it's huge as far as our mindset. But [the Bulls] were pretty successful last year when he went down last year, and the coaching staff does a great job getting
guys prepared,” said Mohammed regarding the injury to Rose.
Mohammed was full of praise for Bulls Head Coach Tom Thibodeau and said that one of the reasons he decided to join the Bulls was the head coach. Mohammed signed a one year contract with the Bulls earlier in the summer worth the
veteran’s minimum after the Bulls back-up centre, Omer Asik, was acquired by the Houston Rockets in free agency.
“I heard he's one of the hardest working coaches in the NBA as far as preparation, so I'm not gonna try to beat him to the gym. But I heard, just be prepared. He's really defensive-minded, but he's also a player’s coach. Guys love
playing for him,” said Mohammed regarding Thibodeau.
Mohammed will join a Bulls roster that looks quite different from the last two seasons, particularly the bench. The Bulls parted ways with Ronnie Brewer, Asik, C.J. Watson and Kyle Korver. They instead signed Kirk Hinrich, Marco
Belinelli, and Vladimir Radmanovic apart from Mohammed.
Mohammed is a true veteran to the game, having played 14 seasons in the NBA on different successful teams including the championship winning San Antonio Spurs of the 2004-2005 season. He has appeared in 66 career playoff games
in eight playoff appearances. He will be a valuable addition on the court in terms of his experience, and also in the locker room for the younger guys as the Bulls attempt to usher in a winning era.
The Bulls have taken a risk with the new signings and acquisitions, and allowing their old bench players to move to other teams. With Rose out much of next season, it will be a struggle for them to maintain a respectable position
in the Eastern Conference till the time Rose returns.
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