Former Bull Gordon finds home with Magic
Ben Gordon's best days in the NBA were definitely with the Bulls.
Since leaving Chicago as a free agent, his numbers dropped and role diminished to the point where Charlotte released him before last season ended.
He was back at the United Center on Tuesday, playing significant minutes with Orlando.
Before the game, Gordon agreed that a Bulls connection probably helped his cause. Magic assistant general manager Matt Lloyd - a Fenton High School grad - worked in the Bulls' front office when Gordon was the team's most electric scorer.
"Yeah, man, it was good seeing Matt in Orlando," Gordon said. "Matt believes in me. He's seen how hard I've worked over the years. It's good to have people who still believe in you when things don't go your way.
"I've always just continued to work hard, and that's why opportunities normally come to people who don't give up on themselves."
Gordon started the night averaging 11.3 points in 25 minutes per game for Orlando. He matched up against Doug McDermott, Tony Snell and Jimmy Butler in the first half of Tuesday's contest.
"It's definitely a relief (to play consistent minutes)," he said. "It allows players to find their rhythms and kind of get in the flow. Hopefully I can continue to turn my minutes and with each game get better."
Long-range dedication:
With the Bulls scoring at least 100 points in their first three games, the 3-point shot has become much more important.
Last season they averaged 17.8 attempts per game and shot 34.8 percent from behind the arc. So far this year they've taken 26 shots from 3-point land per game while shooting 37.2 percent.
They slowed the pace Tuesday but shot well, going 7-for-15 from 3-point range.
"It's something we definitely wanted to add, and I think it's one of the strengths of the team," coach Tom Thibodeau said of the 3-point shooting.
"Pau gives us an inside presence, and then the dribble penetration we can get from our guards … as long as (the shots) are coming inside-out, those are the ones we want to take."
Bull horns:
The Bulls hadn't scored 100 points in their first three games of the season since the 72-win campaign of 1995-96, when they did it in the first five. Last season the Bulls recorded their third 100-point game on Dec. 2. … In an HBO documentary, Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant reportedly talked about his summer meeting with free agent Pau Gasol. "He was more concerned about the city," Durant said, according to a tweet from USA Today's Sam Amick. "He's into, like, orchestras and plays."