Taj Gibson
was set to travel with the Bulls overnight to Washington and had a simple answer when asked whether he would return from his concussion to play Wednesday night against the Wizards.
“I’m playing,” Gibson said. “For sure.”
Of course, Gibson might say this with a gaping chest wound because it’s his stock answer to any ailment. However, coach
Tom Thibodeau
supported the words of Gibson, who missed Tuesday night’s game with the 76ers after colliding with
DeAndre Jordan’s
knee in Saturday’s loss to the Clippers.
“He’s feeling better and was able to do some light exercise,” Thibodeau said. “So I think he’ll be fine after (Tuesday).”
Passion play:
Doug Collins
said Bulls Chairman
Jerry Reinsdorf
sent him a text message Tuesday wishing him luck — as soon as he left Chicago.
But the man who coached the Bulls from 1986-89 — and almost again in 2008 — is happy to be back on the sidelines with the 76ers.
“I’m a teacher,” Collins said. “I knew I was always going to do it again. … I’m enjoying it a lot more. I wish I had taken more time to enjoy it when I was younger.
“I just saw (broadcaster)
Neil Funk
and he said, ‘I saw you guys had a couple of tough losses early and how calm you were. I was waiting for chairs to start flying.’ And I was like, ‘Naw, I’m too old now.’ The passion and competitiveness is the same. I just think I channel it a lot better.”
Familiar face:
Andres Nocioni
, acquired in June, is happy to be removed from the losing in Sacramento. But he’s not playing much for the 76ers and spent all pregame seeing old friends.
“It’s really tough to come into this building,” Nocioni said. “I loved to play for the Bulls. Everybody knows that. I miss it a lot — the teammates, this building, the city. But this is a business. Right now, I play hard for the 76ers.”
Layups:
No. 2 overall pick
Evan Turner,
a St. Joseph’s alum, isn’t playing much for Collins but drew some first-quarter action as Collins searched for energy. “Only the coach’s opinion matters,” Turner said. “My transition has been a little rough. But I’m going to keep working.” … Collins delivered a stirring eulogy at the Dec. 8 funeral of
Phil Jasner,
the legendary 76ers beat writer for the Philadelphia Daily News. Jasner covered the 76ers for 29 years. “Phil is all about fairness and integrity,” said Collins, who starred for the 76ers right out of Illinois State. “I looked around and there was 50 years of Philadelphia basketball there to pay their respects. He was the conscience of the 76ers.”
