Bulls' strategy a success in season opener
The easy response to the Bulls' runaway win over the New York Knicks is Carmelo Anthony made the wrong choice.
It's too soon for that. The Bulls may end up needing a clutch scorer against Cleveland in the playoffs.
For openers, though, the Bulls' backup strategy of three quality big men and a deep bench worked like a charm. Taj Gibson (22 points) and Pau Gasol (21 points, 11 rebounds) led the way as the Bulls rolled past the Knicks 104-80 on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
The game wasn't even as close as the final score indicated. The Bulls led by 35 points midway through the fourth quarter before clearing the bench.
Anthony, who considered joining the Bulls as a free agent this summer, scored an inconsequential 14 points. That was with the Bulls' best perimeter defender, Jimmy Butler, sidelined by a sprained left thumb. Mike Dunleavy guarded Anthony for most of the night.
The Bulls came out sluggish on offense. Their first six possessions featured 4 turnovers, a missed shot and one made basket.
But this game turned around completely when coach Tom Thibodeau made the game's first substitution, sending Gibson and Aaron Brooks onto the court for Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah at the 4:41 mark of the first quarter. The Bulls trailed 12-10 at the time, then outscored New York 29-16 with Brooks in the game.
Brooks, who won the Most Improved Player Award back in 2009-10 with Houston, could turn out to be a vital addition. Not only did he spark the offense by scoring 13 points, he also dished out 6 assists.
Gibson, who hit 10 of 12 shots, dominated the Knicks' front line in every way. He jumped over opponents to grab rebounds, knocked down jumpers and executed post moves. His plus-minus rating was a plus-28 in 28 minutes of action.
Another impressive member of Bench Mob, Part 2 was rookie Doug McDermott, who scored 12 points. He probably fulfilled a couple of lifelong dreams in the fourth quarter by throwing down a two-handed breakaway slam and then pulling up to drain a 3-pointer, quieting an already subdued crowd at MSG.
Rose didn't play his best game, but he wasn't bad at all. He finished with 13 points and 5 assists, playing just 21 minutes because of the lopsided score. Rose had a couple of driving lay-ins barely roll off the rim.
So this one falls into the category of nice win, but consider the competition. Things will get interesting in a hurry, with Cleveland and LeBron James visiting the United Center for Friday's home opener.
Point guard Jose Calderon did not play for the Knicks, who were led by first-time coach Derek Fisher, while new team president Phil Jackson watched from the stands.
Earlier in the day, there were differing opinions on when Butler might return from the sprained left thumb he suffered Oct. 19. Butler thinks he might play Friday, while Thibodeau suggested he could be out 2-4 weeks total.