Bulls' new-look lineup showing growing pains
On the first day with their new lineup, the Bulls showed some intriguing promise while rocketing up and down the floor in a loss at Houston.
Since then, it's become painfully obvious that rebuilding some chemistry will take time, particularly in the backcourt. After losing in Cleveland on Sunday, the Bulls are 1-4 since adding the new players from the Cavs.
What's worse is most of the holdovers have seen their numbers drop since the trade was completed. Ben Gordon made the most dramatic change, shooting 33 percent and averaging 12.4 points in the last five games.
In his eight previous games, which were spread out due to a wrist injury, Gordon averaged 26.9 points and shot 49.3 percent from the field.
He's not alone. During the past five games, Luol Deng has averaged 12.8 points, compared to 17.0 for the full season. Kirk Hinrich's scoring has dropped from 12.8 points to 7.4. Andres Nocioni has gone from 14.5 to 9.8.
"I think whenever you have new players in the mix, especially here right now, substitution patterns are different, playing in different lineups with guys," Gordon said. "It seems like guys are getting thrown off a little bit for whatever reason. It's tough to pick up a rhythm when you don't know how many minutes you're going to be playing."
Obviously, the arrival of guard Larry Hughes has had an impact on shot distribution and playing time. Hughes is averaging 19.0 points since joining the Bulls and has led the team in shot attempts the past three games.
"You want to come in and make an impact but not try to do too much," Hughes said. "We have to get it done as a team. I'm just really trying to learn the guys' tendencies, how we play in certain stretches of the game, what the coaches want out of everybody, things that are acceptable, things that aren't acceptable. There's a lot going on."
Another issue is finding time to work out the problems. The Bulls have played five games with the new lineup, but Monday was only their fourth practice with the new roster.
The Bulls have succeeded in playing at a faster pace. They've scored at least 20 fastbreak points in four of the last six games, compared to just twice in the first 43 games.
But the halfcourt offense has not been smooth, and the Bulls have struggled late in games when the defensive intensity picks up. They led Cleveland by 8 points early in the fourth quarter and lost an 18-point halftime lead against Washington on Friday.
"I know we need work on it, because we seem to be getting in each other's way at times," coach Jim Boylan said of the halfcourt offense. "Sometimes in this game, a matter of 2 or 3 feet makes a difference in where you're positioning yourself and how much space you're giving your teammates to operate."
Time is running out on the season, but Boylan hasn't given up on getting the new lineup to click.
"I totally believe that we can do it," he said. "I have total confidence in our players. I think we can string something together here, we can make something happen … and I fully expect us to do that."
Tonight's tipoff
Bulls vs. Memphis Grizzlies at the United Center, 7:30 p.m.
TV: Comcast SportsNet-Plus
Radio: WMVP 1000-AM
Update: The Bulls know all about Memphis, the team that spent two years rejecting their efforts to trade for 7-footer Pau Gasol. Then the Grizzlies gave Gasol to the Lakers on Feb. 1 for basically cap room and rookie guard Javaris Crittenton. Memphis (14-45) has gone 1-12 since trading Gasol. Swingman Mike Miller (16.8 ppg), meanwhile, has missed six games with a back injury and is doubtful for tonight.
Series history: The Bulls were beaten at Memphis 104-90 on Jan. 21 when Gasol was still in town. Last year at the United Center, the Grizzlies lost 111-66.
Next: Cleveland Cavaliers, 6 p.m. Thursday at the United Center
-- Mike McGraw