Butler frustrated with nagging injuries
MIAMI — It has been quite the season for Jimmy Butler, one he’d like to forget.
Not so much because of the on-court stuff, but the injuries that have kept him off it.
After suffering a bruise to the right side of his ribs in the victory Friday against the Nuggets, Butler was held out of the game against the Heat and was questionable for the road game Tuesday against the Hawks.
It was the 14th game Butler has missed, and that’s a number he’s not real proud of.
“Definitely,’’ Butler said Sunday when asked if he was frustrated. “I haven’t missed a game, let alone this many games in my career. It’s tough, but I guess it’s part of it. I didn’t know it was part of it like this, but it is.
“I’ve never had anything wrong with my foot, my ankle, my ribs, nothing. But I guess there’s a first time for everything.’’
Butler came into training camp looking as good as any player on the roster, but a sore left knee cost him valuable time. Since the regular season started, each time Butler has gotten on a roll, he has suffered another setback. The sore ribs are just the latest.
“It’s how I wake up every morning,’’ Butler said of a timetable for a return. “Day-to-day type of stuff. I just have to get comfortable moving and breathing normal again.’’
The plan is to keep up his rehab, then re-evaluate him Tuesday in Atlanta at the morning shootaround.
“I look forward to it,’’ Butler said of Atlanta. “I’m doing everything I can to get back out there. Right when I start to get into a rhythm, something like this happens.’’
The Bulls are 4-10 without Butler.
Thoughts on Collins
Coach Tom Thibodeau was all for the Nets signing Jason Collins and said it had little to do with the center becoming the first openly gay athlete to play in one of the four major sports.
“I just know Jason as a person and as a player, and that’s what I’m happy about,’’ Thibodeau said. “He’s earned it; he deserves it; he’s a great guy. I think it’s good for the league. Just go from there. The important thing is just to judge him as a person and a basketball player.’’
The Bulls entertained the idea of signing Collins as a free agent before the 2012-13 season but went with Nazr Mohammed instead.
“I know people who have coached him, and I know how highly thought of he is, so it’s great,’’ Thibodeau said.
Help coming?
With a growing list of waived players and buyouts over the weekend, the Bulls’ roster could be adding a body this week. Thibodeau was remaining mum. “It’s a process that you go through, and the same thing happens every year,’’ Thibodeau said. “And if something is a good fit and it makes sense, then you move forward with it. But as I’ve said many times, the group that we have, I feel very good about.’’
Ben Gordon and Ronnie Brewer were possibilities.