Hinrich says he’s happy to be back with Bulls

By The Associated Press     Jul 25, 2012

? The Chicago Bulls will be without one familiar face for much of the coming season, so they’re bringing back another to help fill the void.

Kirk Hinrich returned to the Bulls on Tuesday. The nine-year veteran rejoins the team that drafted him in 2003 and with which he played his first seven professional seasons.

“We went into this offseason, it was probably our biggest priority to get a combo guard,” Bulls general manager Gar Forman said. “He knows his teammates. We just think it’s going to be a perfect fit not just for the coming year, but for the future.”

Hinrich likely will start at point guard for Chicago while star Derrick Rose rehabilitates from left knee surgery. The MVP of the 2010-11 season is expected to be out until at least January, though recent reports suggest that Rose may not return until March.

When Rose returns, Hinrich likely will become a key part of a revamped Chicago bench.

“We know Derrick is going to take his time to come back and everybody is going to have to step up while he’s out,” Hinrich said. “I’m really looking forward to playing with him as well. I felt like toward the end of my last year here, we played really well together.”

Rose and Hinrich started 50 games during the 2009-10 season, during which Chicago went 31-19.

Now 31, Hinrich has been plagued by injuries since leaving the Bulls, missing a total of 28 games the last two seasons with Washington and Atlanta. Last season, he averaged a career low 6.6 points for the Hawks.

“This offseason I’ve been working really hard and haven’t really felt any ill effects,” Hinrich said. “Knock on wood. I feel healthy and hopefully will be contributing to a very good team.”

Hinrich was a mainstay on the Bulls after being drafted in the first round from Kansas University in 2003. Chicago made the playoffs in five of his seven seasons with the club. With Rose on the rise in 2010, the Bulls appeared to be on the cusp of big things.

However, Hinrich was traded to Washington in a pre-draft trade in 2010 to clear room under the salary cap room for Chicago’s failed attempts to sign one of that year’s major free agents, such as LeBron James and Dwayne Wade.

“It was disappointment,” Hinrich said. “I felt like we were at a place where we were finally ready to be good and I got traded. That’s how it is in this business.”

Hinrich joins a roster in transition. The cap-strapped Bulls have lost several key parts from one of the league’s top benches this summer, including C.J. Watson, Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver and Omer Asik.

Hinrich learning on the job

By Jesse Newell     Jun 24, 2005

Kirk Hinrich is not one to revel in his successes.

Instead, the former Kansas University guard appreciates his resiliency.

“I’ve had some bumps and bruises, but you shake them off and learn,” Hinrich said. “That’s what it’s all about.”

Hinrich immediately was forced onto a bumpy road in the NBA, selected by the Chicago Bulls with the seventh pick overall in the 2003 NBA Draft.

Entering a team that needed more help than he could give in a city starved for a winner, Hinrich’s rookie season was bittersweet. He averaged 12 points and 6.8 assists per game, receiving the Bulls 2003-2004 Player of the Year award.

But it didn’t matter. The Bulls lost — and lost a lot.

“It seemed like my first year,” Hinrich said, “that nothing could go right.”

But the Bulls improved in 2004-2005.

After drafting immediate contributors Ben Gordon and Luol Deng, the Bulls immediately showed improvement — thanks in large part to Hinrich’s leadership.

In only his second year, he was named one of three team captains, and Hinrich backed that up with even better numbers. He averaged 15.7 points per game and finished in the league’s top 15 in assists, steals, and three-pointers.

But more importantly, the guard helped lead the Bulls to the NBA playoffs for the first time since 1998, which was Michael Jordan’s final season in Chicago. The Bulls lost their first-round playoff series against the Washington Wizards, 4-2.

“It was a long time waiting for the fans,” Hinrich said. “It just feels good that we were able to accomplish that. It was a huge turnaround — a big improvement — and we look for another one next year.”

The team finished with the third-best record in the Eastern Conference, and Hinrich said he was pleased with the support he received this season in Chicago.

“It’s a great sports town,” Hinrich said. “I’ve just feel fortunate to be able to play in that type of city where the fan base is so good and people care about what you’re doing.”

On Wednesday, Hinrich played with former KU teammates at coach Bill Self’s annual camp game, scoring 14 points and impressing fans with a nasty crossover drive against Mario Chalmers in the second half. Hinrich said he most enjoyed visiting old friends on campus.

“Usually when we’re talking, we don’t even talk about basketball,” Hinrich said. “It’s always good when you get a chance to talk to some of your former teammates and hang out with them, like we’re doing now.”

One of those former teammates was Nick Bradford, who said the game offered a unique reunion for former Jayhawks.

“It’s always good to see some old folks — people you haven’t seen in awhile,” Bradford said. “That’s what makes Lawrence so special.”

Though now far away from the college experience, Hinrich said he kept a close eye on his former team and coach during last year’s NCAA Tournament.

He called some of his former Jayhawk teammates to console them after their first-round loss to Bucknell and also celebrated when the man who recruited him, Roy Williams, won his first title with North Carolina.

“The guy deserves it,” Hinrich said. “He’s a great coach and a great guy. I couldn’t be happier. I don’t think a better individual could have won the national championship.”

Hinrich and his young Bulls teammates hope to use their recent postseason exposure to reach even greater heights next season.

“This year, we had a lot of guys that have had never been to the playoffs at all,” Hinrich said. “We’ve got that experience under our belt, and hopefully it will be valuable next year.”

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