Drew Gooden was speaking casually the other day about Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro, and as often happens with the gregarious forward, the conversation took a humorous turn.
“As long as you work hard,” Gooden said with a mischievous smile, “you can take pretty much any shot you want.”
Returning from missing one game with a sore back, Gooden tested this theory with 13 shots and a game-high 20 points Tuesday night in the Bulls’ 96-86 loss to the Timberwolves at the United Center.
So much is unknown about this Bulls team that now is 0-3 in a preseason that portends growing pains. But this much is certain: Gooden is going to play — and likely shoot — a lot.
In a nod to the unconventional big men the team possesses, Del Negro has made clear the Bulls will employ several small lineups this season. Gooden even started at center against the Timberwolves, ceding 15 pounds to the more conventional big man Al Jefferson.
“We have a young team, so I’m ready to do whatever I can to help,” Gooden said. “If they need me to score, I can score. I can dive on the floor for loose balls, rebound, whatever.”
What the Bulls need from everyone is more consistent defense and fewer turnovers. After two straight sluggish starts against the Mavericks and Pacers, Del Negro had preached greater focus and effort from the opening tip.
The Bulls responded with a 30-point first quarter that featured a 19-point lead. But the Bulls then continued to struggle with decision-making in halfcourt sets and finished with 22 turnovers.
“We’ve turned the ball over too much,” Del Negro said. “We haven’t been together — all the excuses you can come up with. But we need to play harder together for longer stretches.
“The offense will take care of itself. That’s timing and execution. That’s practice time and being together and learning the terminology and the system. We haven’t had a practice as a full unit. It’s a work in progress.”
Indeed, injuries once again have given this Bulls season a disjointed feel. Joakim Noah was supposed to return from his eye injury to log decent minutes but played just 4 minutes 49 seconds in the first half and didn’t return.
Derrick Rose came off the bench to finish with nine points and seven assists in 26 minutes, including one spectacular reverse layup on a fast break late.
After struggling with his health and statistics, Andres Nocioni shot 7 of 10 and had 18 points off the bench.
But once again, the Bulls either turned the ball over or couldn’t get stops at crucial moments. If Del Negro is worried, he’s not showing it.
“Just keep preaching how we need to approach games and be professional,” he said. “The guys have responded in different spurts. It’s so early and we don’t have a lot of things in at both ends.
“The clock’s ticking. The season is around the corner. We need to get ready and have some good practices.”
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kcjohnson@tribune.com
