Bulls rookie Marquis Teague earning praise for his poise
BY SETH GRUEN For Sun-Times Media December 14, 2012 9:58PM
TONIGHT
NETS AT BULLS
The facts: 7, Ch. 9, 1000-AM.
Updated: January 16, 2013 6:10AM
Coach Tom Thibodeau is used to coping with point guard Kirk Hinrich’s injuries, but he did leave some question as to how he’d replace him.
Hinrich missed the Bulls’ 96-89 victory Wednesday over the Philadelphia 76ers with a bruised left knee and didn’t practice Friday.
Thibodeau said if Hinrich is unable to go, he would start Nate Robinson or rookie Marquis Teague.
Teague has shown poise in crucial situations and has earned himself some more playing time. Thibodeau is likely to start Robinson, but Teague still should get a lot of minutes if Hinrich can’t go.
“The intensity level in the NBA is just something different,” Teague said. “You’ve got to go through it to really know.
‘‘Everything is at a high level. You’re playing better players, stronger players, smart. So it’s something you’ve just got to go through.”
Old friends
When the Bulls host the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday, they’ll see former teammates C.J. Watson and Keith Bogans.
“They’re the right type of guys,” Thibodeau said. “I think they’re the type of guys that they’re going to improve wherever they are because of their makeup. They’re team-first guys, hardworking, smart.
“They did a great job for us, so I have great respect for [them].
‘‘I look forward to seeing them after the game, but before, they’re like everyone else.”
Rip on mend
Shooting guard Richard Hamilton didn’t practice, but Thibodeau said his torn plantar fascia is improving.
Hamilton did some shooting and is doing cardiovascular work to maintain his conditioning.
