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Taj Gibson: Your guide to the OKC Thunder’s secret weapon

By Heather Koontz

Feb 24, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Taj Gibson (22) speaks to the media prior to action against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Taj Gibson (22) speaks to the media prior to action against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Taj Gibson
Jan 24, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Consequently, the Bulls won 100-92. And, mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Early years

Much of his rookie season, Gibson served as the Bulls’ starting power forward. A high-energy player with excellent defensive skills, Gibson helped Chicago secure the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference and went on to play in the first playoffs run of his NBA career.

That year, the Bulls fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round, but Gibson went on to be selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

When the Bulls signed Carlos Boozer in 2010, Gibson found his starting spot in jeopardy. He played only 15 games as a starter (following a preseason injury that benched Boozer), before handing over the reins.

Despite losing his starting position in Chicago, Gibson was selected as a starter for the 2011 NBA Rising Stars Challenge. Additionally, he helped the Bulls secure the first seed in the Eastern Conference play-offs.

Throughout his career, Gibson became a valuable sixth man for the Bulls organization. In 2012, he signed a multi-year contract extension and went on to average 8 points and 5.3 rebounds for the season.

That same year, he narrowly lost out on official sixth man honors when he took second place to Jamal Crawford as the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year.

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