Mike Bibby is gone. Mustafa Shakur is back. And Derrick Rose is really, really good.
That’s the word from Verizon Center, where the Wizards will have Andray Blatche back in the lineup after missing two games with a hip injury while Rashard Lewis moves to the bench after starting the day under the weather. Al Thornton was a little surprised to hear that Wizards head coach Flip Saunders had ruled him out due to the lack of practice he’s had with a recent ankle sprain, but Thornton is on the inactive list.
As for Bibby, “It’s tough from the standpoint of you’d like to always have a veteran guy, especially in situations,” said Saunders in regard to Bibby’s departure. “But from our blueprint of what we’re trying to do and build this team is that it’s going to give our guys more opportunities. It’s going to have a chance to look at Jordan [Crawford] in a good situation, look at Mustafa, see where we’re really at going in for next year these last 20-some games. It gives Mike an opportunity, hopefully to get to a playoff team where he can do what a lot of guys want to do, chase that ring as much as they can. And it gives us unbelievable financial flexibility next year. We’re not right now a team in a playoff situation and so it’s something that came, and I think it’s a win-win situation for both.”
Shakur did say that he talked to Bibby, a fellow Arizona alum, before returing to Washington from his hometown of Philadelphia, where he had been working out since getting released at the end of his second 10-day contract last week. This time around, there’s no Bibby and no Kirk Hinrich to prevent him from being the sole backup point guard.
“When I got my first 10-day, I really didn’t look at it as I only got 10 days to prove what I can do,” said Shakur. “I just said I’m going to go out there and play basketball to the best of my ability every night. I’m just going to approach it the same way, not really think about a contract. It’s easier that way, just go out there and play.”
As for the Bulls, they’ve won 12 of their last 15 games, Joakim Noah has been back for three games in the middle after missing 30 following thumb surgery in December, and Rose, well, here’s Flip:
“They’re playing at a really high level, and they’re playing at that level because of Rose. I think there’s no question that if you look around the league, he’s by far had the most impact on his team winning as anybody in the league. LeBron [James has] had an impact, but he’s got his mates with him. But you look and see what Rose has done. He’s been phenomenal, and I guess the other thing, I’m just so impressed with his work ethic, how much he’s improved. He might be the most improved player in the league, even though he was a great player last year. How much he’s improved his perimeter shooting. Now he’s become a threat from the three-point line where before you didn’t worry about those type of things. His defense has improved a lot and his overall intensity. The ‘MVP!’ chants are definitely warranted.”
