Q&A with Chicago Bulls guard Daequan Cook

When the Chicago Bulls claimed guard Daequan Cook off of waivers in early January Bulls fans were pleased. Chicago’s three-point shooting regressed greatly after the team moved three-point threat Kyle Korver to Atlanta in the offseason.
Cook was caught up in a numbers game while a member of the Houston Rockets and wasn’t able to see much court time. Houston waived the former Three-Point Shootout champion allowing him to join Chicago. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Daequan Cook is just what the doctor ordered to pump life into Chicago’s anemic offense.
The Bulls are twenty sixth in the league in scoring averaging just 93.5 points per game. Bulls Coach Tom Thibodeau is a bit stubborn when it comes to his rotation so Cook will have a tough time seeing consistent minutes early on. Cook has only played in three games for Chicago, much of it garbage time. That could all change when Derrick Rose returns to the court. Rose’s ability to penetrate will lead to open shots for his Bulls teammates and Cook happens to be the best long-range shooter on Chicago’s roster. Going into the playoffs the acquisition of Daequan Cook could pay dividends for the Bulls.
SS: What’s your experience as a Bull been like so far?
Daequan Cook: It’s been pretty good. The guys embraced me pretty well. Still learning the system but everything is going pretty good though.
SS: What’s the toughest thing to learn about the system?
Daequan Cook: Just the defensive schemes. The call-outs and different break downs we have on pick-and-rolls. I’m getting a good feel for that right now.
SS: Everybody knows you as a three-point shooter but what else is in your game that you can contribute to this team?
Daequan Cook: Of course like you said, being able to knock down shots, spreading the floor, being a good team defender, and rebounding. I just want to play my role and bring that energy that’ll be needed from time to time if the team is lacking it.
SS: What happened with your situation in Houston because it seemed like there should have been an opportunity for you to play?
Daequan Cook: It’s kind of hard. They had a lot of guys at my position. We played pretty small in Houston so it wasn’t that much of an opportunity for me. I’m glad to be here as part of the Bulls and have an opportunity to help this team.
SS: Everybody is talking about Derrick Rose and wondering if he’s ready to come back. What have you seen from Derrick in practice?
Daequan Cook: He works hard and he looks good. He’s making the progress that’s needed to come back as soon as possible when he’s ready to help this team.
SS: What was your experience like playing in the NBA Finals last year?
Daequan Cook: It was a great experience. It was something that a lot of guys don’t get to go through at a young age. Me being young in this league and having the opportunity not just to be there but also play a little bit gave me the experience needed to know what it takes to win at that level.
SS: I was in Miami covering the Finals and it seemed like you guys were tight to me. What was the feeling of the team going down to Miami for the Finals?
Daequan Cook: We had a chance to win. That was the most important thing. Even though it was our first time being there we knew it was going to take more than talent to beat that team. It kind of showed at the end. We learned from that and now everybody went their separate ways and are trying to make that run again on the teams they’re on.
SS: What are your personal goals for this season?
Daequan Cook: Just to be consistent. That’s the most important thing, just making shots, defending, and being consistent on a day-in and day-out basis.
..