The Chicago Bulls are dealing with an array of injuries during a season where they are expecting to be contending as the best team in the Eastern Conference. As Derrick Rose continues to be on and off the court with various injuries, some of the team's biggest assets are also dealing with issues that will keep them out of an upcoming stretch of games. As Pau Gasol and Rose work to get healthy, Taj Gibson just went down and is uncertain to return anytime soon.
According to ESPN.com, Gibson went down with a sprained ankle in the Bulls' loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday. The forward went down during the third quarter and had to be carried off the court by his teammates. The team reported that x-rays on the ankle were negative, but Gibson was seen exiting the locker room in a boot and on crutches which does not give much hope to his status during the next stretch of games.
"It's the same lingering injury," Gibson said, via ESPNChicago.com. "Just keep trying to play through it, trying to be there for my teammates. Just push through. All summer I was trying to rehab the same ankle and it just keeps flaring up. I keep having these little bum ankle turns. And I just took some time off from it and tried to rush back and this thing happened again. I'm just frustrated. I have to be patient. Just talking to Derrick, talking to the guys, I have to be patient."
Patience might not want to be the word Gibson uses. Chicago fans are already frustrated with how "patient" Rose is being regarding his various injuries. The point guard is currently nursing a hamstring injury. Gasol has been dealing with a strained calf muscle while Kirk Hinrich has a set of bruised ribs. This is not the route the Bulls wants to take at this point in the season.
If the injuries continue, will the Bulls be forced to reach out for various trades at the mid-season deadline? NBA sources have linked to team to players like Jeff Green, Greg Monroe and Dion Waiters. With Gibson struggles, Tristan Thompson could be an option as well coming off the bench. Both Gasol and Hinrich have stressed they should be back in the mix soon, but with Gibson out the Bulls have holes to fill.
