Clippers' Gordon discusses Rose, free throws

Clippers guard Eric Gordon, who used to start in the same AAU backcourt with Derrick Rose, is tied for third in the NBA in free-throw attempts per game at 8.9.

So he should be able to dispense advice on how to get to the line.

“I'm just constantly attacking the rim, getting into people's bodies,” Gordon said before Saturday's game. “That's my style of play to play physical.”

Well, Rose attacks the basket as much as any guard in the league, but he ranks 34th in free-throw attempts at 4.9. There has to be more to it than just driving to the hoop.

Gordon thought the explanation may be found in the styles the two players employ.

“He's different. He's already up in the air and pitching it up there,” Gordon said of Rose. “I usually just look for the contact every time. It's a little different. I just play more physical.

“(Rose) doesn't play real physical. He's more of a finesse guy who just gets around people. He's very fast and sometimes he beats you to the rim or he's just gliding in the air and not seeing if anybody's going to run into him.”

Rose went 7-for-9 at the foul line Saturday, while Gordon was 3-for-4 for 15 points.

Vinny checks in:

Before Saturday's game, Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro talked about his two-year tenure as boss of the Bulls. He was let go last spring after a second consecutive 41-41 season.

“I'm very proud of what we accomplished the last two years,” Del Negro said. “I appreciate having the opportunity to coach the Bulls. I told Jerry (Reinsdorf) that. The fans are great. The history here is tremendous. The team is in a much better position now after the two years I was here.”

During pregame introductions, Del Negro received a strong reaction from fans at the United Center, a mixture of cheers and boos.

“I would hope the fans would be supportive, but the fans were always great here,” Del Negro said before hearing his reception. “They packed the house. A great city, loved living here.

“There's no negative to that stuff. It's part of the business. It's part of the environment. I'm happy and proud of what I did here. Now I've moved on, they've moved on, and that's part of pro sports.”

Taj takes hit:

In his first game starting at center in place of Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson picked up 3 fouls in the first half, then was knocked out of the game by an apparent concussion in the third quarter.

It wasn't clear how the injury happened, but Gibson collided with Blake Griffin on the play and may have been hit by teammate Carlos Boozer. In the locker room, concussion seemed to be a reasonable diagnosis.

“To tell you the truth, I don't remember (what happened),” Gibson said quietly. “I just remember being in the training room and sitting out. Everything's coming and going in my mind right now.”