The Bulls` bench play has started to get notice around the league, with Larry Bird crediting it after Chicago`s biggest win ever in Boston Garden Friday and Charlotte coach Gene Littles extending the kudos Saturday.
”Our bench just doesn`t match up with theirs,” said Littles. ”(Stacey) King, (Craig) Hodges and (B.J.) Armstrong, who will be a starter, really hurt us.”
B.J.`s back: As for Armstrong, he`s played at least as many or more minutes than starting point guard John Paxson in each of the Bulls` six games.
And after a slow start in which he shot 33 percent in the first three games, Armstrong hit 60 percent of his shots and averaged 12.7 points in the team`s last three games, all wins. Armstrong also is the team`s best free-throw shooter with a perfect 15 for 15.
But Paxson remains the top assist man on the team with 8.7 per 48 minutes played. Michael Jordan is second at 8.2 and Armstrong third at 8.
On the boards: Cliff Levingston has become the team`s best offensive rebounder, averaging 3.25 per game. Horace Grant led the team last season at 2.95 per game. Levingston also is tied with Jordan for the top average (6.5 per game).
But the best Bulls rebounder so far this season is Bill Cartwright. Among Bulls who`ve played at least 100 minutes this season, Cartwright is the best rebounder per minutes played at 11.4 per 48 minutes. Grant is next at nine per 48 minutes.
Back to reality: Bulls coach Phil Jackson says ”there`s lot of room for improvement,” but the Bulls are in better shape to go out on their road trip after three straight wins.
”The high expectations from the first night carried over for a few days,” said Jackson. ”But we had to realize it`s a long season. I feel like we got it out and we`re getting back to business.”
Other numbers: King picked up four assists Saturday after having three in the first five games combined. King also got his first two blocks of the season. Scottie Pippen leads the team in blocks at 1.5 per game.
