Gooden finished for season
Drew Gooden fit perfectly with this season's disappointing Bulls.
Just when he showed signs of doing something special, he faded away.
Gooden's personal highlight with the Bulls came on March 25 against Atlanta when he piled up 31 points and 16 rebounds. Following a pair of ineffective performances, Gooden was sidelined with a lower abdominal strain.
Before Friday's win over Cleveland, Bulls coach Jim Boylan declared Gooden officially done for the season. The Bulls have three games left to play, which means he'll miss the final 10.
"It was disappointing, but it was something that was bothering me before the 31-point game," Gooden said. "I kept playing and it got worse and worse. It's to the point where, 'Is it worth injuring it further?' We're trying to be smart about it at the same time."
The 6-foot-10 power forward averaged 14.0 points and 9.3 rebounds in 18 games with the Bulls after arriving in the Feb. 21 trade from Cleveland. He has one more year left on his contract at $7.1 million.
"I thought he played well," Boylan said. "I think he needs to be more consistent. But I thought he had some good games. I thought he played with some good energy, gave us something down low, which we needed. We're looking forward to having him around next year."
Paxson's son commits: The son of Bulls general manager John Paxson has decided to postpone his final two years of college to enlist in the Marines.
Ryan Paxson, a 6-foot-4 guard, was the second-leading scorer at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, averaging 12.8 points as a sophomore. Before that, he starred at Lake Forest High School.
"The Marine Corps is the hardest, most respected branch of service, and it's something I really have a passion for," he told the Kankakee Daily Journal. "It's something I've been thinking about since high school. I went and signed the papers last week."
Ryan is expected to report for training in August. His father shared his thoughts via e-mail.
"Carolyn and I are incredibly proud of Ryan and his decision to enlist in the United States Marine Corps," John Paxson wrote. "He understands that he has not earned the honor and title of Marine yet, and that will only happen if he successfully completes recruit training, which will demand the very best of him.
"He has made this commitment to serve our country and we are proud of him and at the same time humbled by his willingness to sacrifice. Like every one of our young people who choose to sacrifice and serve in our military to protect the freedom that we enjoy, Ryan deserves our support and prayers."
Bucks pick local GM: According to multiple reports, the Milwaukee Bucks are about to name John Hammond, Joe Dumars' top assistant in Detroit, as their new general manager.
Hammond is a Zion-Benton High School graduate who played for longtime Fremd coach Mo Tharp. Elgin native Rick Sund was another reported candidate for the job.
Record first quarter: By going 10-for-10 from the field in the first quarter, LeBron James tied the United Center record for field goals in a quarter, set by former Bulls guard Jamal Crawford in 2003.
The all-time Bulls' opponent record for baskets in a quarter is also 10, set most recently by Philadelphia's Archie Clark in 1969.