Bulls change tune on locker room music
Three seasons ago, Ben Wallace tried to bring a communal musical experience to the Bulls' locker room and was turned down.
Background music is back on now, courtesy of rehabbing center Jerome James. Before Saturday's game, James played a mix of soft soul music. Al Wilson's "Show and Tell" was one featured selection.
"I try to create a calm atmosphere, so people can focus on the game," James said, pointing to teammate Flip Murray bobbing his head to the music. "Flip was with me in Seattle. We had a rule there: No cursing (in the lyrics)."
When Wallace arrived as an expensive free-agent addition in 2006, the Bulls had a rule that all music had to be played through headphones, which was enforced by coach Scott Skiles. These days, players are free to set their own music rules.
"As long as they're ready when they throw it up, I don't care what they listen to," coach Vinny Del Negro said.
James says he often uses two laptops at a time to download music and has created playlists for members of the coaching staff.
Do the younger players appreciate James' taste in music? Well, several were sitting at their lockers, chatting about an upcoming Jay-Z concert, while James' music played.
"He's been going a good job," Derrick Rose said.
Rookie on an island: The Bulls got a long look Saturday at Dallas rookie guard Rodrigue Beaubois. He got the start since Jason Terry and center Brendan Haywood were out, and hit 10 of 14 shots for 24 points, including 18 in the third quarter alone.
This was the third straight game Beaubois produced a season-high scoring total after not playing at all in the three games prior to that. Beaubois was the 25th pick of last year's draft, traded from Oklahoma City to Dallas for Ohio State center B.J. Mullens.
"He didn't catch anybody off guard," Rose said of Beaubois. "Everybody in the league has been watching him. He's a good player."
The 6-foot Beaubois hails from the Caribbean Island of Guadeloupe, also home of Orlando forward Mickael Pietrus.
Bear essentials: The Bears' three new free-agent additions, defensive end Julius Peppers, running back Chester Taylor and tight end Brandon Manumaleuna sat with coach Lovie Smith near the Dallas bench Saturday. Peppers even stood up to acknowledge a partial standing ovation from fans.
Bull horns: Saturday's 122-116 Dallas victory was the Bulls' highest-scoring game of the season, in terms of points scored by both teams through four quarters. - Guard Devin Brown was inactive for the second straight game. - Tickets still remain for Monday's FestaBulls fundraising dinner and auction at Shedd Aquarium.