Call Drew Gooden an optimist.
In one breath, the veteran big man talked excitedly about visiting a specialist Tuesday and getting “nothing but good news” about the abdominal and groin strains that have sidelined him for 11 straight games.
In the next, he confirmed he would be out through the All-Star break and that if the injury didn’t respond in the first few games afterward, season-ending surgery is a possibility.
“Keep my fingers crossed when I come back,” Gooden said. “They said if it’s a real sports hernia, I won’t be able to play longer than two or three games without it coming back.”
Gooden said he felt good after practicing hard Monday, even diving for a loose ball. He added that he passed all of the specialist’s physical exams.
“He’s going to be fine,” Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said.
“He just needs more rest and another week will do as he continues with therapy and conditioning.”
That’s Amare: In an interview on WSCR-AM 670, Suns general manager Steve Kerr said he expects trade talks surrounding Amare Stoudemire to last until closer to the Feb. 19 trade deadline.
There’s no guarantee, of course, that Stoudemire will be dealt as talk around the league insists everybody but Steve Nash is available on the Suns’ roster.
The Bulls are involved in the talks centered on some package of expiring contracts, young players and draft picks. League sources said Miami’s interest could be expanding to other targets.
If the Bulls make a trade, Gooden, acquired less than a year ago in the Ben Wallace trade, would be gone.
“I’m taking it as a business,” Gooden said. “I’m a Bull as of today and I want to be a Bull. This is a good team that can push to the playoffs.”
Layups: Kirk Hinrich’s lone three-pointer tied him with Scottie Pippen for second behind Ben Gordon on the franchise’s all-time list. Hinrich and Pippen each have made 664. … Luol Deng failed to reach double figures for the first time in 15 games and played only 1:55 in the fourth quarter after shooting 1 of 7.
