Dwyane Wade's All-Star break began a day early. Unfortunately for the 12-time All-Star, it did so in unpleasant fashion.
Wade, who already was doubtful with the right wrist contusion that had sidelined him for two games, told team officials he woke up with a stomach virus. So Wade, who didn't attend either the morning shootaround or Thursday night's game with the Celtics, missed his third straight outing.
"It's frustrating, especially coming off that game in Sacramento where he just carried us," coach Fred Hoiberg said. "He put up some good numbers against Houston. So he was in a good rhythm. To go down with the wrist injury and now the illness, the break is coming at a good time for him."
Wade has promotional events scheduled for All-Star weekend in New Orleans. It's unknown whether his illness will allow him to keep them.
"He has been great," Hoiberg said of Wade's overall impact. "You see a guy like Denzel (Valentine) coming out of the game and the first guy to go talk to him is Dwyane. He still has a very positive impact even when he's not on the court."
Rumor mill: By now, Taj Gibson is mostly immune to hearing his name in trade rumors.
"I've been having teams come for me for a long time. It's nothing new," Gibson said. "At the end of the day, you're still earning the same paycheck. You're still going to have the same tag that says NBA on your chest. You have to be ready for whatever happens. It may be good. It may be bad. But you have to be positive about it and know you're still in the NBA."
Coincidentally, this season is probably the least Gibson has been involved in talks. Not only do the Bulls value his production and selfless attitude, sources said teams to this point haven't offered a first-round pick for a player poised to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time.
The Raptors, a rumored trade partner for Gibson and the Bulls, always were focused on acquiring Serge Ibaka from the Magic, which they did Tuesday.
Layups: Gerald Green played for the Celtics despite coach Brad Stevens calling the versatile swingman "questionable at best" with a bruised heel pregame. … The Bulls had a moment of silence and Scottie Pippen offered heartfelt remembrances of Brigitta Kentala, the massage therapist from the dynasty-era Bulls who recently passed away.
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