McDermott finally back in the mix after dealing with a concussion

There have definitely been some low points for Doug McDermott over the last three-plus weeks, as he’s struggled to get over his second concussion of the season.

“It was tough,’’ McDermott said on Thursday, his first interview since being cleared from the NBA’s concussion protocol. “The first week-and-a-half was tough sleeping wise, just weird symptoms you don’t even realize. Just being in cars, going to my appointments was tough at times, some headaches throughout the week.

“Just getting on the interstate, going down to the physical therapy, the movement around you, stuff like that would kind of trigger it. After the first week I didn’t really have any issues with that.

“But with a concussion you just have to be true to yourself and true to the doctors. You don’t want to lie about things because it can only make things worse. I’m finally to the point where I’m feeling better.’’

He’s also to the point where he rejoined the roster, and did so just in time to welcome the San Antonio Spurs into town.

After missing the last 11 games because of a second concussion suffered in a two-week period, McDermott was back in the rotation, hoping to spark a bench that was badly in need of sparking.

“Yeah, I think we’ll get our swagger back too,’’ McDermott said of the ongoing bench woes. “We’ve had some injuries. Once we get myself and Michael [Carter-Williams] back, we’ve been rotating guys that aren’t used to playing with each other. Once we get some continuity there with that group, things will get better. Adding a shooter like me, it’ll take pressure off Niko [Mirotic], take pressure off Isaiah [Canaan] to hit shots. Just having three floor spacers out there will really help all of us.’’

Including veterans Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler, who often work with the second unit and would love to have a consistent drive-and-kick target waiting for them beyond the three-point line.

Before McDermott went down, the Bulls were 6-3 in the games he played in, with him chipping in 23.7 minutes and 10.6 points per game. He was only shooting 36 percent from three, but considering he’s a career 41 percent shooter from out there, it was bound to improve.

“Doug obviously provides a lot for this team with his cutting and his screening and obviously his floor spacing, which has been an issue for us, especially this last week-and-a-half, two weeks. So yeah, to get Doug back, a guy that’s going to keep the defense honest, it’ll open up the lane for our playmakers and then when teams help off, we’re confident that Doug will knock down shots.’’

“Pop’s’’ World

The demeanor of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich to the pregame media is very different to the short-answered guy that often appears on TV, as he spoke to the media for close to 15 minutes Thursday.

He covered an array of topics, including expressing his love for the Cubs, and was also asked how he would handle a player like Rajon Rondo, who has a history of expressing himself very loudly in some cases.

Popovich was asked if he would ever gamble on adding a player like Rondo to the roster, and said, “As long as he promised ahead of time not to throw a towel at me.’’