Strong start by Bulls' Dunleavy
One performance that might have been overlook in Wednesday's season-opening blowout at New York was turned in by Mike Dunleavy.
He didn't score, but with Jimmy Butler sidelined, Dunleavy guarded Knicks star Carmelo Anthony most of the night. Anthony wasn't much of a factor, hitting 5 of 13 shots for 14 points.
"Their game plan was for me not to see any daylight," Anthony said, according to the New York Post.
Should we add Dunleavy to the list of lockdown defenders?
"You need the entire team tied in to make him work," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said Thursday at the Advocate Center. "But Mike is a great pro. He prepares himself well. Whatever you ask him to do, he's willing to sacrifice for the team. He was 0-for-5 and played a great game. That says a lot about him."
Thibodeau spent the first week of July telling Anthony what could happen if he joined the Bulls as a free agent. Did the coach warn Anthony what might happen if he stayed in New York?
"Carmelo has had a lot of big games against us," Thibodeau said. "It's the start of the season and I think they're still going through an adjustment. They're going to be a good team."
Rookies start fast:
There wasn't any bad news in the Bulls' blowout win at New York. But something to add to the list of good news was the performance of the rookies.
Doug McDermott scored 12 points, while Nikola Mirotic finished with 5 points and 7 rebounds. Both players drained 3-pointers during their first moments on the floor.
"Our rookies have done a good job from the moment they've gotten here," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "They're still learning.
"Doug was terrific throughout the game. Just the threat of him when he comes off the screen or when he's spotted up, he's a big-time scorer. And I think he has grown a lot defensively. Those guys come in and give you all they got each day."
Butler improving:
There was no definitive word on whether Jimmy Butler might play Friday against Cleveland. He's been out since suffering a sprained left thumb in a preseason game on Oct. 19.
"He did a little more today," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "It wasn't a heavy day. We'll see where we are tomorrow. It's day to day."
Butler did participate in a spirited game of 4-on-4 after practice and it appeared his thumb was less bandaged than it was earlier in the week.