Gasol fitting in awfully well

LeBron James and Kyrie Irving are having some mismatched roommate problems in Cleveland, and that's to be expected.

For the Bulls, though, welcoming Pau Gasol to the lineup has been a smooth transition. Through five games, Gasol has posted his best numbers in years, averaging 18.8 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks.

Maybe it's becoming clear why Gasol gave up his house in Redondo Beach, a block from the Pacific Ocean, and moved to Chicago. Not only is he playing on a good team, he's a focal point of the offense.

“Hopefully, I'll keep it up. That's my goal,” Gasol said after Wednesday's victory in Milwaukee. “This league is not about five games, not about 10 games, not about 20 games. You've just got to do it consistently throughout the season; not just when you feel great but when you're also banged up. So it's good and positive to start off well. Now we have to build on it and keep getting better.”

The Bulls are using Gasol as an offensive anchor. They are throwing the ball into the post and waiting for good things to happen. Against the Bucks, not only did Gasol put up big numbers (22 points, 14 rebounds), Taj Gibson scored a team-high 23 points.

“He's playing great,” Gibson said of Gasol. “We practice hard. We challenge each other in practice and I feel like he's really in a groove right now. He's back at his old tricks. He's motivated. And It's good for us. It's a real good thing when you can throw the ball down low knowing you can get a foul or a good shot at the basket.”

Of course, it's early. The Bulls are taking advantage of a soft schedule and lost to the only opponent (Cleveland) projected to make the playoffs.

But even with all their injuries, the Bulls have shown why this season carries so much promise. Their big men can score, which creates space for open 3-point shots. Then there is Derrick Rose, who looked like his old self until spraining both ankles last week.

The defense probably isn't where it will be in a couple months. But the Bulls do lead the league in defensive field-goal percentage (.401) and rank second in blocked shots (7.6 per game).

This isn't all on Gasol, but his arrival has paid dividends already.

“I feel really well,” he said. “I feel like guys appreciate what I bring to the table. They're excited that I'm here, that I've played at a high level and helped the team be better. I feel the same way. I feel we have a great team, we have great players with a great mindset. They're all ready to take it to the next level.”

Noah looks better:

The Bulls released an injury update Thursday calling Derrick Rose (ankles) and Joakim Noah (illness) questionable for Friday's game at Philadelphia, with Taj Gibson (ankle) and Jimmy Butler (thumb, shoulder) probable.

Of course, coach Tom Thibodeau said Wednesday he considers questionable and probable the same thing.

Noah missed the past two games with the illness, but was in the locker room after Wednesday's win in Milwaukee and seemed to be in very good spirits. So it looks like he'll play against the 76ers.

Rose clearly was not 100 percent against the Bucks and tweaked his bad ankles in the second quarter when he landed on someone's foot. He might be another game-time decision.

Rose knows Jabari:

After beating Milwaukee, Derrick Rose shared some thoughts on Bucks rookie Jabari Parker, a fellow graduate of Simeon Career Academy.

“Jabari's a good player,” Rose said. “Just knowing how he worked in the off-season, how he's sacrificing a lot of things at a young age, he's going to be a good player. I don't know how good, but he's doing all the right things to really have a long career. I wish him nothing but the best.

“I love the way he's playing. He's not forcing up shots. He's taking shots when they come to him. So the more he plays with that team, the more they'll try to get him the ball and know where to get him the ball.”

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