The Bulls head into the All-Star break trailing the Heat by mere percentage points in the Eastern Conference standings. Let's round up the latest out of Chicago, as the team hopes for a healthier backcourt in the second half….
- K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune asked chairman Jerry Reisendorf why the team hasn't picked up Tom Thibodeau's third-year option for 2012/13. While Reisendorf said there was nothing to announce at this point, he added, "We certainly hope and expect that Tom will be with the Bulls well beyond his current contract."
- Johnson notes that when the Bulls were in a similar situation with coach Scott Skiles, the team waited until June to exercise his option, but also signed him to a three-year extension at that point.
- Mike James' 10-day contract has expired, and he won't sign another one right away. Johnson says the Bulls could re-sign James in March, a decision which I expect will depend on the health of Derrick Rose, C.J. Watson and Richard Hamilton.
- Even if the team doesn't make a move before the trade deadline, the Bulls' players believe they have a better squad than last year, says Neil Hayes of the Chicago Sun-Times.
Tom Thibodeau is not Scott Skiles. He should have been signed to an extension, that he deserves, weeks ago.