Taj Gibson aware of the expectations from him next season – NBA News
Chicago Bulls reserve forward Taj Gibson knows that he has a difficult and challenging season ahead of him, one which can make him a star in the Bulls line up if he is able to step up.
Entering his final year of the rookie contract, Gibson has earned a good reputation for himself in the first three years of his career, and was one of the standout players on the talented Bulls bench last season. Next season however,
a bigger challenge awaits him. Gibson is expected to play a larger role next season and is bound to see more playing minutes.
The Bulls lost All Star point guard Derrick Rose to an ACL injury in the first round of the playoffs last season. Rose is expected to be out for 8 to 10 months, making him unavailable for much of the next season. Being the leader
of the team as well as the playmaker and the main scorer, his loss will put a great deal of pressure on the remaining Bulls roster and demand some of the younger and relatively unproven players to step up and contribute to the success of the team.
On the top of that list stands Gibson.
"Our mindset hasn't changed. It's about staying focused and taking one game at a time. We understand it's going to be up and down at the beginning of the season. We can't look forward to the end. We got to look forward to one game
at a time and playing to our strengths and just listening to coach (Tom Thibodeau),” said Gibson regarding the challenge that lay ahead.
The power forward know he will have to break out of his shell and says that Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau has already talked to him about getting more involved on the offence.
Gibson averaged 7.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks while playing 20.4 minutes last season.
"Thibs already told me he wants my role to change, be more of a leader now. He just wanted me to work out this whole year, build confidence and get better. He thinks I can do a lot more on and off the court,” added Gibson.
The increased responsibility that Gibson would see next season is mainly due to the fact that Carlos Boozer has failed to live up to his promise and his name is increasingly becoming part of rumours which indicate an abrupt exit.
Tags: