Chicago native Davis set to make UC debut
During his first two NBA seasons, Chicago native Anthony Davis sat out games against the Bulls - both times because of injuries suffered in the previous contest, a concussion and broken hand.
Davis is on pace to make his United Center pro debut Saturday, but the New Orleans Pelicans played Friday night against San Antonio, so nothing is guaranteed.
The 6-foot-10 Davis is the NBA's brightest young star. Through Thursday's games, he ranked fourth in the league in scoring at 24.5 points, 11th in rebounds (10.1) and first in blocked shots (2.9).
Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau worked this summer with Davis, one of the key players during Team USA's victory at the FIBA World Cup in Spain.
"I don't know if there's any big that's more talented than him," Thibodeau said Friday. "There's nothing that he can't do. He's got great touch, he can post, put it on the floor. He's got great hands, he's great defensively. He's got the skills of a guard, and the speed and quickness of a guard, and obviously the size of a big.
"So it's a tough combination. Their team is playing well. Obviously, with (center Omer) Asik and Anthony, you've got two huge guys up front."
New Orleans started Friday in ninth place in the Western Conference.
Noah feels the belief:
Joakim Noah was feeling positive about the Bulls' direction after beating the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday for the team's fifth straight win.
"I think we're very, very talented and I think we still can get a lot better," Noah said. "The beauty of this team (is) we have a lot young guys, a lot of vets as well. It's definitely a good blend. I think right now there's a belief more than there was a couple of weeks ago.
"Having that belief of when we're on and we're competing, nobody can mess with us, and that's the feeling we are starting to get. As an NBA player there's no better feeling than that."
Noah also addressed the Bulls' new high-scoring style. They've scored 100 points in 12 of the last 15 games,
"You add those (new) guys, we're going to score the ball," Noah said. "Now it's on us to make sure we don't get complacent. Just because we can score the ball doesn't mean defense isn't important.
"We're going to have to count on our defense when the block gets hot."
Barkley picks Bulls:
The NBA is doing a nice job of winning Christmas. Thursday's evening doubleheader on TNT set ratings records for the prime time slot on Dec. 25.
The Bulls-Lakers broadcast averaged 3.9 million viewers, according to Nielsen, while the Warriors-Clippers nightcap averaged about 3.1 million viewers.
During the TNT broadcast, studio analyst Charles Barkley called the Bulls the team to beat for the NBA title.
"I think if Derrick Rose is healthy, not only are the Bulls the best team in the East, I would make them the favorite to win the world championship," Barkley said.
"They have everything. Derrick Rose is the only question mark. (Jimmy) Butler is terrific, (Taj) Gibson, the addition of Pau Gasol, (Joakim) Noah, (Nikola) Mirotic.
"They don't even have (Doug) McDermott (out with a knee injury), but let me tell you something, they have it all."