Bulls' Gibson still all about team

Taj Gibson could have taken a page out of the playbook of former NBA MVP Derrick Rose and asked, "Why can't I win the Sixth Man Award?"

The sixth-year power forward finished a close second in Sixth Man voting last season to Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard Jamal Crawford. Gibson mentioned Wednesday that he's ready for a rematch.

"I was kind of disappointed I didn't win it, but that's more fuel for my fire to push forward," Gibson said following Bulls practice at the Advocate Center. "I really want to win that award, but it comes down to practice and pushing myself in practice."

By setting a goal of winning the Sixth Man Award this season, Gibson also is accepting a role off the bench. Everyone knew Carlos Boozer wouldn't be back with the Bulls, but Gibson's role was undefined when free agency began this summer.

Gibson was in on the recruiting pitch to New York's Carmelo Anthony. Had Anthony joined the Bulls, Gibson almost certainly would be the starter at power forward. Anthony decided to stay with the New York Knicks, though, and the Bulls landed their next target, Los Angeles Lakers big man Pau Gasol.

There was never much doubt that Gasol, a four-time all-star, would be a starter for the Bulls. He probably will be a fourth-quarter finisher, too, a role Gibson enjoyed during the Boozer era.

Gibson is worthy of a full-time role in the NBA, and it's human nature for a player to be disappointed when it doesn't happen. But Gibson hasn't strayed from a team-first attitude, and he stressed the benefits of having Gasol as a teammate.

"Going against him in practice helps me a lot," Gibson said. "He's so tall, you can't teach that in practice. It's been great. I've just been having fun (in practice). Going against another tall defender has helped my game a lot. I'm just going to take it and run with it."

Gibson brought up another point in his favor. If he goes in with the second unit, he's more likely to be a focal point of the offense than if he's a starter. And he's usually being guarded by another team's substitute.

So he should have the opportunity to produce good numbers. Last year he averaged a career-high 13.0 points.

"I know who Taj is. Whatever you ask Taj to do for the team, he's willing to do," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "There are a few guys in our league who are very good in both roles. Taj is like that.

"He has a great motor. He's one of those guys when you put him in the game, he doesn't need 5-10 minutes to warm up. He's ready to go. I think he's gotten a lot more confident and comfortable playing late in the game.

"I thought he got great shots for us in the fourth quarter. His defense speaks for itself. Taj will have a significant role for us."

Of course, Gibson is used to coming off the bench. Not playing significant minutes in the fourth quarter would be a different role, a demotion in some ways. But the Brooklyn native refused to complain when given the chance Wednesday.

"That doesn't matter right now. It's about winning," Gibson said. "We understand we have a championship-mentality team. It's within our grasp; we're close to a title. That's the only thing we're thinking about right now.

"Winning a title and getting better, that's our main focus."

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