Sefolosha's improved play brings focus back to crowded backcourt
One issue facing the Bulls was set aside for a couple of weeks while Thabo Sefolosha sat out with a groin injury.
Sefolosha returned to the court Tuesday against Utah and it seemed as though he got better during the six-game layoff. The 6-foot-7 guard scored 31 points in 37 minutes the last two games while shooting 67 percent from the field.
Now, the Bulls are back to dealing with a crowded backcourt. Even with Chris Duhon staying on the bench for the most part, coach Jim Boylan has to find time for four starting-caliber guards -- Sefolosha, Ben Gordon, Larry Hughes and Kirk Hinrich.
Hughes played just 18 minutes in the victory over the Jazz, while Gordon saw a season-low 14 minutes in Friday's loss to Philadelphia. Such circumstances are bound to create hurt feelings.
"It's tough to deal with," Gordon said Sunday at the Berto Center. "It's a new situation for a lot of guys. Playing time has been more erratic than usual. You've just got to keep your head, and when you're out there, however many minutes you play, you have to do your best to help the team win."
Solving the logjam could be general manager John Paxson's toughest call of the summer. Sefolosha is suddenly showing signs of star potential and doesn't figure to go anywhere.
Gordon is easily the most explosive scorer of the group. Hinrich is the best ball-handler, though none of the four is a true point guard. Hughes brings multiple skills and can use his speed to excel in an up-tempo style.
The Bulls don't have complete control over what happens to Gordon this summer, since he'll be a restricted free agent. Gordon would have to agree to any trade. If he chooses to accept the one-year qualifying offer, or if the Bulls match another team's offer sheet, Gordon can only be traded with his permission until the end of next season.
"We've got four guys who can start," Gordon said. "I'm assuming something is going to change in the off-season. What, I don't know."
Hughes and Hinrich may be difficult to trade because they're already signed to large contracts. Hughes is owed $26.5 million over the next two years, while Hinrich has four years and $36.5 million left on his deal.
Both Gordon and Hughes vowed to accept the situation for the time being and do whatever possible to get the Bulls into the playoffs.
But Hughes doesn't think a deep backcourt will work well in the long-term.
"I don't think so, as far as the up and down minutes," Hughes said. "Because we have to be consistent with knowing what we're expected to do, knowing what kind of production we're expected to (bring), knowing what type of minutes you're going to play, knowing the situation of the game when you'll be in. I think there's a comfort level there.
"It's all good for competition, but you don't want to have to wonder if you're going to play 20, 30 minutes or 10 to 15 minutes. That's a tough way to go, especially through a whole season."
Boylan knew what was in store after the Bulls traded away two frontcourt players in Ben Wallace and Joe Smith, while getting a forward (Drew Gooden) and a guard (Hughes) in return.
"I'm watching each game and seeing how guys are performing out there," Boylan said. "I'm looking at matchups and trying to see which way we can go to take advantage. Some games we need a little offense. Some games we need a little more defense. The guys have been good. They've accepted the situation."
The Bulls' playoff aspirations took a hit over the weekend when they blew an 18-point fourth-quarter lead against Philadelphia, then New Jersey beat Utah on a last-second shot the following night. Atlanta, meanwhile, played the first of three games remaining against the lowly New York Knicks on Sunday.
After playing at New Orleans tonight, the Bulls have to turn around and host New Jersey on Tuesday. Two losses would drop the Bulls 3 games behind the Nets for eighth place.
Tonight's tipoff
Bulls vs. New Orleans Hornets at New Orleans Arena, 7 p.m.
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Radio: WMVP 1000-AM
Update: After losing Sunday at Detroit, the Hornets (44-21) were third in the West, 1½ games out of the top spot. MVP candidate Chris Paul is averaging 21.4 points and 11.2 assists. Ex-Bull Tyson Chandler is fourth in the league at 12.4 rebounds per game. Power forward David West (19.7 ppg, 9.1 rpg) sat out against the Pistons with an ankle injury and is not expected to play tonight. Paul also reportedly is slowed by a sore ankle.
Color-scheme alert: Do not adjust your set. The Bulls will spend the next two nights wearing their green uniforms for St. Patrick's Day. The Bulls have gone 1-2 in the green duds the past two seasons.
Next: New Jersey Nets at the United Center, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday