http://www.suntimes.com/output/bulls/cst-spt-bside18.html
Bulls to add Funderburke for playoffs
April 18, 2005
BY LACY J. BANKS Staff Reporter
Barring a failed physical, the Bulls will sign free-agent forward Lawrence Funderburke this morning in time to play in their last two regular-season games and be on the playoff roster that operations chief John Paxson will submit to the league Thursday afternoon.
With the Miami Heat's victory over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, the Bulls have clinched no worse than the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference and have a one-game lead over the Washington Wizards for fourth.
"I'm in shape,'' Funderburke, 34, said Sunday after working out for two hours at the Berto Center along with free-agent forwards Sean Lampley and Jerome Beasley. "I thought the workout went well, and it would really be a blessing to sign with such a talented, young team like the Bulls. I've been working out regularly in the gym, waiting and praying for an opportunity like this.''
A six-year NBA veteran from Ohio State, the 6-9, 235-pound Funderburke will not be expected to replace leading scorer Eddy Curry, who is sidelined for the rest of the season while undergoing extensive examinations for an irregular heartbeat. But the rugged role player has five years of playoff experience and is the best readily available option to take Curry's spot on the playoff roster.
"Our team chemistry is obviously very important to us,'' Paxson had said earlier. "So we want to add a player who has NBA experience, has playoff experience and would not hurt our chemistry.''
With the loss of Curry and starting small forward Luol Deng (wrist surgery), Funderburke gives Paxson and coach Scott Skiles some insurance against any more injuries or serious foul problems to their remaining frontcourt players.
"I know that I'm not being brought in to do a whole lot,'' Funderburke said. "But whatever opportunity I get to help them, I'm going to do my very best. I'm just happy to have another chance to play.''
Selected in the second round of the 1994 draft by the Sacramento Kings, Funderburke played two seasons in Greece and one in France before signing with the Kings in '97. In six seasons in Sacramento, he averaged 6.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 316 games.
He also played in 21 playoff games, with averages of 2.0 points and 1.5 rebounds in 5.6 minutes per game -- precious experience for a team that has just 140 total games of postseason experience. In fact, Funderburke's 21 playoff games are second to Antonio Davis' 87.
Bulls to add Funderburke for playoffs
April 18, 2005
BY LACY J. BANKS Staff Reporter
Barring a failed physical, the Bulls will sign free-agent forward Lawrence Funderburke this morning in time to play in their last two regular-season games and be on the playoff roster that operations chief John Paxson will submit to the league Thursday afternoon.
With the Miami Heat's victory over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, the Bulls have clinched no worse than the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference and have a one-game lead over the Washington Wizards for fourth.
"I'm in shape,'' Funderburke, 34, said Sunday after working out for two hours at the Berto Center along with free-agent forwards Sean Lampley and Jerome Beasley. "I thought the workout went well, and it would really be a blessing to sign with such a talented, young team like the Bulls. I've been working out regularly in the gym, waiting and praying for an opportunity like this.''
A six-year NBA veteran from Ohio State, the 6-9, 235-pound Funderburke will not be expected to replace leading scorer Eddy Curry, who is sidelined for the rest of the season while undergoing extensive examinations for an irregular heartbeat. But the rugged role player has five years of playoff experience and is the best readily available option to take Curry's spot on the playoff roster.
"Our team chemistry is obviously very important to us,'' Paxson had said earlier. "So we want to add a player who has NBA experience, has playoff experience and would not hurt our chemistry.''
With the loss of Curry and starting small forward Luol Deng (wrist surgery), Funderburke gives Paxson and coach Scott Skiles some insurance against any more injuries or serious foul problems to their remaining frontcourt players.
"I know that I'm not being brought in to do a whole lot,'' Funderburke said. "But whatever opportunity I get to help them, I'm going to do my very best. I'm just happy to have another chance to play.''
Selected in the second round of the 1994 draft by the Sacramento Kings, Funderburke played two seasons in Greece and one in France before signing with the Kings in '97. In six seasons in Sacramento, he averaged 6.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 316 games.
He also played in 21 playoff games, with averages of 2.0 points and 1.5 rebounds in 5.6 minutes per game -- precious experience for a team that has just 140 total games of postseason experience. In fact, Funderburke's 21 playoff games are second to Antonio Davis' 87.
