Chicago's Bigs Have Room For Improvement

[GotGibson?]

It's nice any time your starting backcourt can outscore your opponent's 48-30 and extra-nice when that opposing backcourt features Kobe Bryant. But it doesn't mean a thing if an opposing big man can outscore your entire starting frontcourt 34-20, the way the Lakers' Pau Gasol did against the Bulls on Tuesday night.

Guard play isn't the issue for the Bulls, even without the injured Kirk Hinrich. They won't be going anywhere as long as their frontcourt gets dominated the way it did. Andrew Bynum added 18 points, and Lamar Odom had 10 more off the bench.

"We didn't come out and double-team in the first half, trying to stay on some of the perimeter guys," Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said. "[Gasol] got in deep and gave us a lot of trouble. He was real effective in the first half. I thought we were more aggressive in the second half, but their length definitely bothered us."

The Bulls have to see the Lakers only once more this season, but back in the Eastern Conference, they still will have to deal with the length of teams such as the Celtics and the Magic.

Drew Gooden, who was overmatched inside, said the Bulls can use their smaller size to their advantage if they play it right.

"We've got power forwards that can stretch the defense," Gooden said. "We've got quick 5s. They have to guard us, too. But we have to do a better job exploiting that."

Gooden executed the strategy for a while in the first quarter, hitting jump shots when Bynum refused to come out on him, then driving for a hoop and a foul when Bynum did leave the paint.

But he didn't score again after his nine-point first quarter, racking up more fouls than field goals the rest of the way. Joakim Noah was another foul-plagued Bulls big man, with three personals in 11 ½ minutes. When asked what Noah can do to keep out of foul trouble and give the Bulls more, Del Negro exhaled and said, "We've just got to get more consistent production, not only from him but from other guys."

Aaron Gray has the size but not the mobility. Tyrus Thomas has the athletic ability but not the well-rounded game -- even though he's improving.

Derrick Rose, who had 25 points and nine assists, looked worthy of the No. 1 pick. But another, much older basketball theory was proved Tuesday. It's still a big man's game.