Dosunmu returns after missing game with concussion
While addressing the decision to stand pat at the NBA trade deadline Thursday, Bulls director of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas offered praise for rookie second-round draft pick Ayo Dosunmu.
"He's been very impressive," Karnisovas said. "When our training camp started, we kind of got a feel that this kid is going to find ways to get on the floor and get minutes and he just progressed and got better with every month.
"Then when we were short-handed, he was really tested and has done a tremendous job. So well deserved, made the rookie game and I couldn't tell you enough in terms of praises what kind of person he is and competitive player that he is."
After missing Wednesday's game in Charlotte with a concussion, Dosunmu was back in Friday's starting lineup. Before the game, coach Billy Donovan talked about how Dosunmu's availability was in question up until roughly an hour before game time.
"He has passed right now all the protocols that he needed to pass, but now that information's got to be sent to the league and then the league's got to sign off that everything's OK," Donovan said. "So we're waiting to hear back from them at this point. From our medical people, everything that he's had to do with regard to the steps we talked about, he's done and completed."
LaVine confident:
Zach LaVine supported the Bulls management's decision to not make any moves before Thursday's trade deadline.
"When we get healthy and we do we do what we supposed to do, I don't see anybody better than us in the East," LaVine told NBC Sports Chicago at Friday's shootaround. "That's just my opinion. Competition-wise, you step on the line, you go throw the ball up, I don't think anybody's better than us."
Bulls coach Billy Donovan said Friday that he's not worried about the moves made by other Eastern Conference contenders.
"No, because I can't control that," he said. "I think I mentioned several times that myself and Arturas (Karnisovas) and Marc (Eversley), we felt really good about this group. We haven't been whole or complete for a good portion of this season. We're hopeful that at some point we can get back to that point and see what this group can do."
Opposite sides:
Bulls all-stars DeMar DeRozan and Zach Lavine ended up on opposite teams during the player draft that took place Thursday. DeRozan was the fifth starter selected and will play for Team LeBron. LaVine was the fifth reserve player chosen and is part of Team Durant.
Funk night:
The Bulls will pay tribute to retired television announcer Neil Funk at Saturday's game. Funk spent 43 seasons doing NBA play-by-play for the Bulls, 76ers, Nets and Kansas City Kings. He stepped down after the 2019-20 season.
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