MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Fred Hoiberg has learned a lot about Cristiano Felicio over the last few weeks.
That wasn’t supposed to be the plan.
But then again, very little has gone as expected when it comes to these Bulls this season, and that isn’t about to change.
With Joakim Noah lost for the season, and now Taj Gibson missing his fourth consecutive game with a rib fracture on Tuesday, the 6-foot-10, 275-pound Felicio was again back in the rotation as a key reserve against Memphis.
Gibson’s injury is still a day-by-day concern, so the Felicio experiment might be on display over the final four regular-season games. Bigger picture? The rookie may have also given himself the chance to be a rotation player beyond just this season.
“Yeah, I think that’s absolutely the case,’’ Hoiberg said of that scenario. “Again, we saw the potential in our mini-camp when we were going to Las Vegas for our Summer League. And invited him to training camp, and again saw what he could do, the way he moved for a person that size, and someone that young. That’s when we talked to him about making the team. I remember for a non-guaranteed guy how exciting that is to hear, to hear that you’re on an NBA roster, and he’s taken advantage of all the opportunities we’ve had with our frontline being in and out of the lineup, especially late in the year when Pau [Gasol] went down, and he’s given us really good minutes.
“I think a big part of it with what he’s done defensively, but I think the feel that he has on the offensive end is something that was a little surprising to everyone. But he’s been terrific for us, and he’s going to have to play key minutes for us down the stretch.’’
Felicio was all in on that idea.
“I picked up that confidence and just want to keep showing them the work I’ve done all year,’’ Felicio said. “Now that I have my chance I’m trying to make my most of it.’’
The Bulls were scheduled to practice Wednesday in Miami, and Hoiberg was hoping to have a better idea on Gibson.
“When he goes up to shoot or he extends his arms over his head it grabs on him,’’ Hoiberg said of the veteran big man. “It’s too much pain to fight through right now, especially with as much impact as Taj takes, getting hit in that area. It’s better. It’s better than it was a couple of days ago, but he’s still not quite ready.’’
Bull shots
E’Twaun Moore’s hamstring issues again showed up late in the Milwaukee game, forcing the combo guard to miss the game against Memphis. Hoiberg said that Moore was day-to-day. … Veteran Mike Dunleavy had a late night, flying to Houston to watch his brother, Baker, who is an assistant coach with Villanova, beat North Carolina in the National Championship game, and then jumping a plan back to Memphis following the game.
