Gordon has never been more popular

Last summer, you had a hard time finding anyone who thought the Bulls were losing much when they let Ben Gordon get away.

Now, all of a sudden, it has become obvious to - of all people - even Scott Skiles that Gordon had certain skills not easily replaced.

After the Bucks' loss to the Lakers on Wednesday night, Skiles was discussing the return of Michael Redd when he came dangerously close to understanding Gordon.

"(Redd has) bought into the system we're trying to play. I liken it a little to having Ben Gordon in Chicago," Skiles said. "If a guy can score, you have to give them the freedom to take their shots and make their plays.

"On occasion a guy is going to take a bad one because he is feeling it or whatever. They have to have the freedom to do that."

Of course, that freedom didn't exist when Skiles would yank Gordon off the floor any time he took a shot Skiles didn't like.

Skiles helped his favorite player, Kirk Hinrich, get that big, five-year extension on Halloween 2006, worth $47.5 million, and Skiles helped create the anti-Gordon sentiment in Chicago.

Granted, Gordon wasn't going to win you an NBA title this year, but he would have helped win some games, and he would have helped down the road when the Bulls get that title-worthy roster they believe they can still build.

But if they were being honest, Bulls management types would have told you when they lost Gordon that they thought they didn't need him.

You wonder what they think now that they have a team that can't score.

Furthermore, the Bulls are a team without a true go-to guy in the clutch, and someone who can provide that instant, fourth-quarter offense.

Gordon was fearless, as all great shooters have to be, especially with the clock winding down.

He had his faults, lots of them, and we all know what they were, especially on defense, but he filled a role and served a purpose, for better and sometimes worse.

And today the Bulls simply have no one with the guts to take those shots down the stretch, so it's become apparent that they miss Gordon, even to those who didn't much like him.

Fearless gunners are hard to find, which is why they make lots of money, and why most teams don't let them get away.

It's just a bit funny that it took Gordon leaving for him to become so popular in Chicago.

The watch

There was thinking within the Bulls organization that Vinny Del Negro wouldn't see Christmas as head coach, but this latest round of injuries probably buys him some time.

With Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Kirk Hinrich and Tyrus Thomas all hurting, it probably wouldn't appear fair - or maybe even be fair - to fire Del Negro under the circumstances.

At the same time, the issue of who would take over remains the biggest of all, since the only logical replacement is John Paxson, and you know he doesn't want to do it.

Ivan Boldirev-ing

How good would Tuomo Ruutu look in a Blackhawks uniform?

The ex-Hawk, who bagged 3 goals for Carolina on Wednesday, is on a team headed nowhere, and the Canes will be looking to move some players before the deadline.

Ruutu, the Hawks' top pick in 2001, has 16 points in his last 16 games and 10 goals and 22 points for the year in 29 games.

Best of all, he's a spit-disturber of the highest order who loves to hit but also can skate and has great hands, so he'd fit in on just about anyone's second or third line.

The Hawks will need that kind of edge come playoff time, and from what we hear Ruutu would love to come back to Chicago now that all the riffraff is gone.

The Hawks, naturally, would have to be creative because of their cap mess and Ruutu's contract, which pays him $3 million this year, $4 million in 2010-11 and $4.4 million the following year.

Long goodbye

For all the games Jay Cutler has thrown away this year - including Sunday's against Green Bay - his nondefense defense of Ron Turner was embarrassing, not to mention unseemly for a guy who has thrown 22 interceptions.

Hockey New Year

Tickets are on sale for the second annual Shillelagh Hockey Tournament (Jan. 2-3) that brings Notre Dame, Colgate, Niagara and North Dakota to the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates. For more info, visit searscentre.com.

The punch line

Reports suggest Bears college scouting director Greg Gabriel could be a candidate for the Buffalo GM position.

Best stat

Dan Marino's record for passing yards in a season (5,084 in 1984) might be in jeopardy if Drew Brees had a reason to play four quarters the last few games. Brees is 1,252 yards behind Marino with three games remaining after finishing with 5,069 a year ago.

Best headline

Sportspickle.com: "Randy Moss not interested enough to defend his play."

And finally -

Miami Herald's Greg Cote: "A missing half-ton, chain-saw carving of Thurman Thomas has turned up safe. Police are trying to decide who needs arresting more: The person who stole it? Or the person who spent untold hours with a chain saw creating a half-ton statue of Thurman Thomas?"

brozner@dailyherald.com