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Chicago Bulls SG Richard Hamilton will sit out indefinitely until he's fully recovered from his recent shoulder injury.
Richard 'Rip' Hamilton was the Chicago Bulls' prized free agent addition, thought to be the missing piece needed to get the team over the hump otherwise known as the Miami Heat. Hamilton has played only 16 games this season due to an assortment of injuries, and he's currently being sidelined by a bum shoulder. Hamilton hasn't played since being injured in the opening minute of the Bulls' win over the Indiana Pacers on March 5.
According to reports today, Hamilton is getting close to returning to action. Hamilton has been shooting from long distance again, which is important because he originally did not have full range of motion.
Here's what coach Tom Thibodeau had to say:
"He’s getting closer and closer. He’s doing well," Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau explained about Hamilton, who has been a full participant in recent team practice and shootaround sessions. "He’s been engaged, he’s been around. He had misfortune of getting hurt three times. Hopefully he’ll be healthy for good now."
Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Bulls be sure to visit Blog a Bull. Head over SB Nation NBA for more news and notes around the league.
The Chicago Bulls saw their eight game winning streak snapped by the Orlando Magic last night, but it's hardly their biggest concern. The Bulls have been straddled with injuries all season long, and this exact moment is no different: Richard Hamilton, Luol Deng and C.J. Watson are each battling something, with various degrees of severity.
Ricard Hamilton was told by doctors today that his shoulder injury should take a month to heal, but Hamilton doesn't sound like he's willing to listen to them. Emphasis comes from the fine people at Blog-a-Bull:
Rip Hamilton said doctors have told him it will take a month for his sprained shoulder to fully heal, which would make it difficult for him to be at 100 percent when the playoffs start.
The veteran said he believes he'll be able to return earlier than that.
"I don't think it's going to take me that long," he said.
Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Bulls be sure to visit Blog a Bull. Head over SB Nation NBA for more news and notes around the league.
More: Don't expect SG acquisition before deadline
The Bulls will have to defend their league-best record without help from two of the key contributors, starting SG Richard Hamilton and reserve G C.J. Watson. According to CSN Chicago, both players will miss Wednesday night's game against the Milwaukee Bucks:
Thibs: Rip and CJ out tonight vs. Bucks
— Aggrey Sam (@CSNBullsInsider) March 7, 2012
Richard "Rip" Hamilton has only played in 16 games in the 2011-12 NBA Season, struggling with various leg and shoulder injuries, while C.J. Watson has played in 27 games this season and is currently struggling with an ankle sprain.
In Hamilton's limited action with the Bulls this year, he has averaged a career low 15.8 points per 36 minutes, despite one of his best field goal percentages -- .452 -- of his career.
The Bulls take the court at 7:00 p.m. CST, hoping to improve their NBA-best 32-8 record.
For updates on the matchup, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, visit Blog a Bull and Brew Hoop. News and notes from around the NBA are available at SB Nation's NBA news hub.
The Chicago Bulls got some good news from the doctor on Tuesday afternoon. Free agent acquisition and starter, SG Richard Hamilton, who has played only 16 games in the 2011-12 NBA Season, will only be day-to-day after suffering yet another injury Monday night against the Indiana Pacers:
Good news on Rip. No separation. Contusion and mild sprain. Day-to-day. #Bulls
— K.C Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 6, 2012
The Bulls currently sport a 32-8 record, the best in the NBA, and have reached that total despite key injuries to Rip, PG Derrick Rose and SF Luol Deng. Altogether, they have missed a combined 41 games, prompting some to suspect the Bulls might look for additional depth at the trading deadline this year.
For more on this game, stay with SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For news and notes around the league, check out SB Nation's NBA news hub.
Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau confirmed early Wednesday morning rumors that Richard Hamilton will sit out indefinitely as he recovers from a deep thigh bruise in his right leg and ongoing groin problems in his left leg.
Thibodeau confirming #Bulls are going to sit Rip until he gets completely healthy. #Bulls
— K.C Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 1, 2012
Hamilton played 36 minutes vs. the Miami Heat on Sunday, but sat out on Monday night when the Bulls took on the Washington Wizards. Hamilton will join Luol Deng on the bench, meaning that, at least for the time being, the Bulls will be without 40% of their starting line up. Hamilton, who was signed by the Bulls in the offseason, has given Chicago exactly what they have asked for, averaging 14.2 points per game on 42% shooting from the field.
For more on this game, stay with SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For news and notes around the league, check out SB Nation's NBA news hub.
According to K.C. Johnson, the Chicago Bulls may rest Richard Hamilton until the shooting guard fully recovers from the injuries that have been nagging him.
Related: Early-Week roundup: Bulls lost to the Heat because the Heat are better; 'Booz' is a four-letter word
Hamilton twice has come back from injury only to be forced to sit out the following game(s).
All signs point to the Bulls resting Hamilton until he fully recovers from the deep right thigh bruise and lingering left groin issues he has battled. When he tried to play Jan. 4 in Detroit, he missed the next eight games. Similarly, Hamilton responded to playing 36 minutes against the Heat on Sunday by sitting Monday in Washington.
A healthy Hamilton figures to be an important part of the Bulls once playoff time rolls around, and the team can afford to give him the time he needs to heal without having to worry about putting a playoff berth in jeopardy.
For more on this game, stay with SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For news and notes around the league, check out SB Nation's NBA news hub.
Rip Hamilton Injury Update: Guard Could Return Tonight Or Friday
It sounds as if, finally, Richard Hamilton is ready to return to the Chicago Bulls' starting lineup. Whether Hamilton returns tonight against the Atlanta Hawks or Friday against the Detroit Pistons is unknown, but it certainly appears as if Rip's return will come sooner rather than later.
Hamilton has been out since suffering a shoulder injury in the first minute of the Bulls' March 5 win over the Indiana Pacers. At this point, the Chicago is used to playing without him. While Hamilton was brought in as the team's lone major offseason addition, he's played only 16 this season due to an assortment of injuries seemingly stemming from one undeniable truth: Richard Hamilton is an old dude, and it's apparent his body can't handle of the rigors of his condensded season.
Even so, the Bulls only really need Rip for the postseason, so returning with about one month left to get acclimated before the playoffs begin is really all the Bulls can ask for.
For updates on the matchup, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls visit Blog a Bull and for more on the Hawks head over to Peachtree Hoops. For news and notes from around the NBA check out SB Nation's NBA news hub.
Mar 28 11:20a by Ricky O'Donnell