Griffin does all he can to help
LOS ANGELES -- During TNT's broadcast of the Bulls-Suns game Thursday, studio analyst Charles Barkley suggested the Bulls need a leader, because someone like Adrian Griffin, who rarely plays, shouldn't be calling team meetings.
Well, Griffin finally saw his first game action of the season Saturday when he started the second quarter against the Clippers. Clearly, though, the Bulls gave Griffin a three-year deal in 2006 because they valued his leadership during the 2004-05 season.
"It's fine," Griffin said of his role with the Bulls. "You just try to find ways you can help the team. I was able to learn from guys like Avery Johnson that you don't have to play a lot or be a star or even play at all to help the team."
Griffin, 33, was then asked if he's interested in coaching when his playing career ends.
"Yeah, very much so. I really enjoy it," he said. "I think I'd be a better coach than player. I'm kind of limited as a player with physical attributes and whatnot."
Brand progresses slowly: Clippers forward Elton Brand, the Bulls' No. 1 draft pick in 1999, figures he's still at least three months from returning from a torn left Achilles. Brand is walking on the treadmill, but he isn't running yet.
"They said 6-9 months, and six months will be late February," Brand said.
In the meantime, Brand is promoting this week's release of "Rescue Dawn" on DVD. Brand helped produce the film, which was in theaters last summer.
New Bull on board: Rookie Thomas Gardner recorded his first NBA basket in Phoenix on Thursday. In the second quarter, the 6-foot-5 shooting guard missed a 3-pointer from the corner but scored on a cutting lay-in after Luol Deng grabbed the offensive rebound.
"During the game it just felt like a regular game, like preseason," Gardner said. "After the game, people started calling, 'We saw your first NBA points.' So it was kind of big from a family standpoint."
Three days in L.A.: This is the first time the Bulls have ever played the Clippers and the Lakers in Los Angeles on consecutive days. The only other time they played both L.A. teams on the same road trip was 1984-85, the first year after the Clippers moved north from San Diego. Behind rookie Michael Jordan, the Bulls won both games.
Today's tipoff
Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center
When: 8:30 p.m.
TV: Comcast Sports Net
Radio: WMVP 1000-AM
Update: The Lakers improved to 5-3 with Friday's comeback victory over Detroit, which played without starters Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess. Kobe Bryant (27.4 ppg) dropped from first to third among NBA scoring leaders after LeBron James and Kevin Martin had 40-point games Friday.
Player to watch: Versatile Lakers forward Lamar Odom, who missed the first four games of the season with a finger injury, piled up 25 points and 15 rebounds Friday against the Pistons.
Next: Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center, 8 p.m. Tuesday.
-- Mike McGraw