Sam Smith: Derrick Rose sat out Sunday’s national TV matchup with the Boston Celtics, his seventh missed game this season in 30 and more that in his first three seasons combined. Before the game, Rose said he would see a back specialist in Chicago Monday about how to proceed... continue reading.

Yes, making the All-Star team is good for Luol Deng and good for the Bulls organization. “I’m really happy,” Deng was telling reporters before Friday morning’s pregame shootaround practice. “It’s good to see. I don’t really have the words for it, except I’m really happy.” But the addition of the Bulls’ eighth year veteran... continue reading | Also: Luol Deng finally makes his mark

Sam Smith opens his mailbag to respond to the latest round of e-mails from his readers. "The biggest single topic questions I’ve been getting with the Dwight Howard mania subsiding is that coach Thibodeau must stop playing guys so much, especially Derrick Rose," he writes. "I’ll offer right away I’m not sympathetic..." >> Open the mailbag

"Luol is a very determined player," writes Pippen of Deng, named an NBA All-Star on Thursday. "If you’re going to battle, he’s the kind of player you want in your corner. He’s never satisfied and he’s going to keep working. He won’t give up until he achieves his goals and I love that he’s set such high standards to achieve success at the highest level." >> Read Pippen's column on Deng