Dear Chris,
Say hi to the Great One for me in Phoenix, but while you’re firing questions at Wayne Gretzky, I’ll be checking out movie stars far more famous than his wife.
You’ve got to believe that when Derrick Rose makes his first NBA visit to Hollywood, the stars are going to come out in force. (By the way, you think anyone might mistake Vinny Del Negro for Scott Baio?)
Rose’s agent, Arn Tellem, is based in Los Angeles, and Rose trained there for months in advance of the Bulls making him the No. 1 pick in June. But even if Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio or Steven Speilberg doesn’t show, Kobe Bryant will, and this will be an eye-opening seven-game trip.
With Drew Gooden still hobbled by a sore ankle, Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas have to start acting like NBA players, not inconsistent B-list stars.
Getting off the acting theme, the Bulls travel to Portland, where LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy can make fans frustrated with Thomas all over again. Actually, Bryant and Roy pose intriguing back-to-back threats for the Bulls’ size-challenged backcourt of Rose and Ben Gordon. Defense won’t be optional.
Then it’s on to Golden State, where the Bulls have lost seven of their last eight and Stephen Jackson and Corey Maggette like their track meets. In Denver, Chauncey Billups is happy, and the Nuggets are 5-1 since sending Allen Iverson packing.
In Utah, Deron Williams owes the Bulls for a sprained ankle suffered when he landed on Rose’s foot during an exhibition game. Injuries or not, San Antonio is still San Antonio. And then, after a quick trip home for practice and Thanksgiving, it’s on to Philadelphia, where Elton Brand owns a Rookie of the Year trophy won with the Bulls and the 76ers are playing better after a rocky — did somebody say Sylvester Stallone? — start.
Enough with the movie metaphors. The Bulls’ surprising 5-5 start has been defined by Rose’s talent and Gordon’s scoring. For them to win on the road, defense and late-game situations must improve. A star turn by Luol Deng wouldn’t hurt either.
The Bulls are 6-52 on this trip since Michael Jordan left town, and I’ve been courtside for almost every loss, er, game. I should stop by USC and thank Tim Floyd for my troubles.
Safe travels,
K.C.
