|
 In the Bulls' 104-80 win over the New York Knicks in the season
opener Wednesday at Madison Square Garden, Chicago's newcomer made
his mark. Gasol, a 13-year veteran who spent the last six-plus
seasons with Los Angeles Lakers, scored 21 points and grabbed 11
rebounds. He shot 7-for-11 from the field.
"I thought this would be a good fit (with Chicago) for me based on
my experience," Gasol said. "I think I can to add what they have
going on here. It's a pretty young group, so they are hungry.
"It's a great opportunity for me to take them to the next level."
Gasol said of the choosing the Bulls in the offseason, "It was the
most difficult decision of my career. I'm happy I'm here. Now I just
have to focus on my team."
The Bulls also received a lift from their All-Star guard, Derrick
Rose. Playing in his first game in almost a year, Rose scored 13
points, dished out five assists and recorded two steals in 21
minutes.
Rose missed the final 71 games of last season after tearing the
meniscus in his right knee, and he sat out the entire 2012-13 season
recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
He was the 2010-11 NBA MVP.
Without their star player for most of the season, the Bulls still
tied for the third-best record in the Eastern Conference last season
at 48-34 before losing to the Washington Wizards in the first round
of the playoffs.
After Chicago led 84-60 through three quarters in the season opener
for both teams, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau decided to rest Rose in
favor of guard Aaron Brooks, who finished with 13 points.
Rose said playing with Team USA over the summer helped him prepare
for the opener.
"My emotions were the same," he said. "USA Basketball did a good job
of making sure my nerves weren't too high. It led to me playing the
way I normally play."
Forward Taj Gibson led the Bulls with 22 points off the bench.
Chicago's subs contributed 55 points. Forward Doug McDermott, the
NCAA player of the year while at Creighton last season, contributed
12 points for Chicago.
"In practice, we attack the first unit, and it shows," Gibson said.
"We push ourselves every day."
The 24-point margin was the second-worst, season-opening loss in the
68-year history of the Knicks, and it ruined Derek Fisher's debut as
New York's coach.
[to top of second column] |
Forward Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 14 points, and center
Amar'e Stoudemire added 12 points and eight rebounds.
Fisher, who retired after playing 18 years and winning five NBA
titles, is charged with implementing Knicks president Phil Jackson's
triangle offense, which stresses ball movement.
Fisher was dealt a blow before the opening tip when newly acquired
point guard Jose Calderon was a late scratch due to a strained right
calf muscle. Calderon was replaced by Shane Larkin, a second-year
pro out of Miami (Fla.) who scored six points.
Chicago dominated the second quarter and the second half. New York's
last lead was 20-18 at the end of the first quarter.
"We wanted to make a push in the third quarter, and they got their
separation and we never recovered," Knicks guard Iman Shumpert said.
"We can't die like that. I think our energy died, and we can't do
that."
The Bulls increased their lead to 53-43 at the half. Gibson scored
10 of his 13 first-half points in the second quarter. Meanwhile, the
Knicks' offense went stagnant. Stoudemire and Anthony paced New York
with eight points apiece in the half.
Rose was able to penetrate the lane, converting seven of his eight
free throws in the half.
NOTES: Chicago G/F Jimmy Butler was out with a left thumb sprain. He
was replaced in the starting lineup by Kirk Hinrich, who scored 12
points. ... Knicks F/C Andrea Bargnani is expected to miss the first
three games of the season because of a strained right hamstring. ...
The Knicks play seven games in nine days to open the season. ... New
York picked up the $1.3 million third-year option on G Tim Hardaway
Jr. and now have five players with guaranteed deals next season. ...
The Bulls led the league in scoring defense last season, limiting
opponents to 91.8 points per game. ... Chicago F Doug McDermott is
the fourth Wooden Award winner to go from college (Creighton) to the
Bulls. He joins Michael Jordan (1984), Elton Brand (1999) and Jay
Williams (2002).
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
