Bulls teammates quick to praise Rondo

Veteran guard Rajon Rondo has been suspended by the Bulls and missed Monday's game against Portland. Associated Press/file

Even with Bulls point guard Rajon Rondo suspended Monday for conduct detrimental to the team, Rondo's teammates have been quick to praise his value as a leader.

Jimmy Butler commented on Rondo's suspension after Monday's shootaround.

"Do's been great," he said. "I think this is just another bump in the road. He's a phenomenal dang teammate and I back him on everything.

"These things happen, and when things happen you handle it the way you're supposed to handle it. I think we all love Rondo. I know I do. He's been a great mentor to me, he's made me a much better basketball player."

After the Bulls beat Cleveland last Friday, Taj Gibson went out of his way to praise Rondo, calling him "inspiring."

"He's like a quarterback," Gibson said. "Even though I never really played any contact football, it's like he always gathers the huddle. He always sees what's going on in a game. He's always encouraging. He's always like, 'Come on, let's go, let's go, let's go.'

"He's just a great teammate. I know he got a lot of criticism before the year, a lot of people talk about the negatives (about) him, but he's been showing me nothing but great stuff on and off the court. He's a great player and he's a great leader."

Butler also made reference to Rondo's declining reputation. His first two stops after leaving Boston -- Dallas and Sacramento -- didn't go well.

"I don't feel his reputation fits him at all," Butler said. "Rondo's an incredible basketball player, friend, brother to me now, to us. I think we love him here. I think the fans love him as well, the organization, I think everyone has nothing but great things to say about him. I don't see where that reputation came from at all."

After if he agreed with the decision to suspend Rondo, Butler replied, "It's not my job to agree or disagree."

McDermott joins WC Bulls:

Doug McDermott practiced with the Windy City Bulls on Monday, his first full-contact basketball experience since suffering a concussion on Nov. 12 against Washington.

He's expected to practice with the D-League squad Tuesday and, if all goes well, he could be ready to return to game action on Thursday when the Bulls host San Antonio.

The Windy City Bulls, who play home games at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, practiced at the Advocate Center on Monday and Hoiberg said he watched the end of the workout.

"Doug had a good day," Hoiberg said. "He's rusty obviously, having his first full contact practice, but (coach) Nate (Loenser) ran a good practice, did a good job of getting up and down. Hopefully he has another good day tomorrow and we'll see what happens for Thursday.

"I think a big thing he has to get over, taking that hit for the first time and knowing he's going to be OK. The good thing is they have this concussion protocol in place for a reason. Doug's done a great job of following the rules and making it through all the steps."

Bulls horns:

Coach Fred Hoiberg said he expects Dwyane Wade to play normal minutes against Detroit on Tuesday. This game is the end of four in five nights for the Bulls and Wade skipped Saturday's second leg of a back-to-back in Dallas. ... Hoiberg said guard Michael Carter-Williams (left wrist, left knee) is set to be evaluated by doctors Tuesday and may also be headed for practice time with the Windy City Bulls.