Bulls say that they will adhere to NBA tanking rules
CHICAGO (AP) -- Bulls executive vice president John Paxson says the team will no longer rest Robin Lopez or Justin Holliday after receiving a reminder from the league office about player rest and tanking.
Paxson says the league communicated with the team after the All-Star break about those two players and their diminishing roles. Lopez has missed the last six games and Holliday five of the last six.
Paxson said in a statement to the Chicago Tribune that "after healthy dialogue, the league determined that their situations fall into the `player rest' policy. We respect the communication and cooperative dialogue with the league and will adhere to their recommendations."
The Bulls have the eighth-worst record in the NBA at 21-42. There are five teams tied with 20 wins right behind them, and Chicago would clearly increase their chances of getting a better draft pick in the NBA lottery if they are able to lose a few games.
