Dec. 13--The Bulls improved to 13-8 with their home victory over the Pelicans. Here are three observations.
Joakim Noah needs to play more
The big man's game is predicated on energy and rhythm. He can't always find it in 20 minutes a night.
Noah logged his second-most playing time of the season and delivered 10 points, nine rebounds and four blocks in 29:33. The only time he cracked 30 minutes, in the victory over Denver, he produced nine points, 11 rebounds and four blocks.
"We feed off him," Derrick Rose said.
Noah doesn't love not starting but has accepted it. What he has privately struggled with all season is not closing games. On Saturday, he played the final 18:43 consecutively. That needs to happen more.
"It's no secret in the NBA that everybody wants minutes," Noah said.
Aaron Brooks offers offensive options
Beyond the scoring sparkplug's crafty shotmaking ability, his return to the rotation has allowed Rose to slide off the ball at times and use either Doug McDermott or Jimmy Butler at small forward.
The latter look has forced Butler to get downcourt more quickly, something the Bulls have struggled with all season. With McDermott playing alongside Brooks and Rose, a floor spacer creates driving lanes for both guards.
"I've liked it a lot," Hoiberg said. "We wanted to get a guy who could get downhill out there again, get into the paint. We're better when that ball touches the paint, whether we get a shot at the rim or spray it out for a 3. That's what Aaron provides for us. He can space the floor for us as well."
Rose is taking the right shots
His only jumper was the stepback one that sealed the victory with 11.5 seconds left. Otherwise, he shot floaters and attacked the rim, always a good sign for the Bulls.
"My legs are there," Rose said. "It's all about putting your game back together. I got floaters, I could drive, I got midrange. I'm a crafty type player whenever I get into the lane. It's all about getting my timing back."
