Just like old times: Rose, Thibs lead Minnesota over Bulls
A couple of things were obvious when Minnesota's familiar faces walked into the United Center on Wednesday.
Tom Thibodeau has not mellowed with age and there's still plenty of life left in Derrick Rose's basketball career.
Wearing the white version of their "Purple Rain"-inspired uniforms, the Timberwolves buried the Bulls from the opening tip, winning 119-94 behind 24 points and 8 assists from Rose. At one point as he stepped to the foul line, fans began an enthusiastic "MVP" chant.
"I had to crack a smile a little bit, maybe reminisce about the old days and how grateful I was to be in that position at a young age," Rose said. "With the year I'm having, it's very special to come back here and play. This is my second time playing (at the UC since leaving the Bulls), so it meant a lot."
Despite holding a comfortable lead all night, Thibodeau was red-faced, shouting instructions constantly, waving his arms, flexing his fingers and never calmed down for a second.
"He's just that much into the game," Timberwolves forward Taj Gibson said. "He just loves the game. Night in and night out, he watches so much film. He just really wants you to do well, he really wants to win. He's the ultimate fan of the game."
The only thing Rose didn't do well was shoot 3-pointers, finishing 1-for-5. Bulls point guard Kris Dunn didn't have a great night, fouling out with 9 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists.
Rose got off to a fast start, with 10 points and 5 assists in the first quarter as Minnesota jumped to a 29-18 lead after one.
"I think all my friends and family know don't try to text me before the game," Rose said. "I'm not trying to hear what you want or what your expectations are. I'm just trying to go out here and win the game and I think that's what I did tonight."
Ex-Bull Taj Gibson added a quiet 16 points, succeeding a few times at bullying Lauri Markkanen under the basket. Luol Deng was in uniform, but did not play, despite a few "We want Lu" chants from the crowd. Center Karl Anthony Towns, not an ex-Bull, contributed 20 points and 20 rebounds.
Zach LaVine was a game-time decision after missing five games with a sprained left ankle. He checked in midway through the first quarter and knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to bring the Bulls within 6 points at the 7:38 mark of the second quarter.
That was as close as it got, though, as Minnesota answered with a 12-0 run and led 60-37 by halftime. The Bulls shot a dismal 28.6 percent from the field in the first half. Everyone besides LaVine and Markkanen combined to make 5 of 32 shots before halftime.
"I don't know, is it the offense? Is it shot-making? Is it a combination of the two?" Bulls coach Jim Boylen asked. "I'll have to look at it, but I thought we had some open looks we missed. I thought we had some poor possessions where we were stagnant. The offense is a work in progress, but we still have to make shots."
The Bulls' progress seemed to be a distant thought on this night as Rose, Gibson and memories of the 2010-11 Bulls dominated the festivities.
"It was great, man. I didn't expect it to be like this, but overwhelming at some points," Rose said. "You can tell the support's still here."
Added Gibson, "Every time I come here it's emotional. You've got the whole crowd, everybody talking to me, calling me 'Wu.' It's just like old times, I love this place. To have MVP chants, Derrick deserves it. The things he's been going through the last couple of years is a testament to staying positive and believing in yourself."
Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls