Bulls coach makes house call to help Rose
Fred Hoiberg took the Bulls’ offense to Derrick Rose on Monday.
The Bulls coach visited the injured guard at his home following practice, reviewing film of new offensive sets that have been installed since Rose sustained a fractured left orbital bone in the first practice of training camp Sept. 29. Rose underwent surgery the next day.
Hoiberg said Rose’s left eye remains swollen shut, but he remains on target to resume physical activity Oct. 14.
“We’ve added probably three sets, three actions, from when Derrick was here that first day,” Hoiberg said. “He was in great spirits, a great mood. He’s itching to get back here. He’s got a follow-up appointment (Tuesday), and then hopefully he’ll be able to get out of his house a little bit (today). Then he’s got another full week where he’s got total inactivity. “His eye is swollen shut, as far as his appearance, but again he’s moving around, he’s great. He just can’t do anything right now to get his blood pressure up. But it was great to see him. We also sent him the file of everything we’ve got going. After the game, we’ll have another session with him before we head out of town.”
The Bulls, who opened their exhibition schedule Tuesday night against the Bucks, leave for a two-game trip following today’s practice.
“The good thing about Derrick is he’s been in here since Labor Day. We’ve been able to get a little bit of a head start by watching film and getting in small groups, try to get a little bit ahead of the game going into training camp, so he did pick things up quickly,” Hoiberg said. “And I don’t think it will take long to get that back, especially having, I guess it will be four days before we get back from this road trip, to watch and relearn everything. Now it’s about getting his timing back.
“Normally, you’re at least able to get on a bike and get a sweat, keep that going, get your lungs burning, but he hasn’t been able to do any of that. So I think the biggest thing in those two weeks leading up to the opener for Derrick is going to be all about getting his timing and getting his wind back.”
Hornets: Coach Steve Clifford plans to spend the rest of the preseason looking at different combinations while trying to adapt to Charlotte’s loss of forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to a right shoulder injury.
The Hornets announced that Kidd-Gilchrist underwent surgery Tuesday night to repair a torn labrum. The team isn’t saying how long he’ll be out, but an injury of that magnitude could sideline him for the season.
Kidd-Gilchrist, made the decision to have surgery after consulting with team orthopedist Marcus Cook on Tuesday.
Clifford hasn’t decided who’ll replace Kidd-Gilchrist but said shooting guard Nicolas Batum is expected to see more action than first expected at small forward.
The third-year coach said the injury opens the door for P.J. Hairston or Jeremy Lamb to start at the No. 2 spot.
Cavaliers: LeBron James said he probably won’t play in one of Cleveland’s first two exhibition games. The Cavaliers face Atlanta tonight in Cincinnati and play at Philadelphia on Thursday.