Nov. 30--NEW YORK -- On a career-long trip, the Bulls' Doug McDermott logged a career-low 2 minutes, 3 seconds in Friday's victory in Boston.
One couldn't tell by the rookie's attitude.
"Playing four years in college and going through a lot of ups and downs has helped me keep an even keel," McDermott said. "I'm not playing great. I think I can play a lot better. But it's still early in my career and this is a different role for me, adjusting to coming off the bench and bringing energy. I'm learning."
Coach Tom Thibodeau used Kirk Hinrich and Aaron Brooks together with Jimmy Butler sliding to small forward at times against the Celtics' smaller lineup. Tony Snell, in a brief appearance of 4:07, also took some of McDermott's typical rotational turn.
McDermott, whose longest college trip was six days compared to the Bulls' current 15-day sojourn, split two free throws and didn't attempt a field goal. He's shooting 23.1 percent from 3-point range.
"To be honest, in college I usually got off to slow starts shooting the 3," McDermott said. "I just kept shooting them and by the end of the year typically had a good percentage."
Undisputed champion: Social media has gobbled up video that Nazr Mohammed posted of Pau Gasol playing Joakim Noah in a team Ping-Pong tournament on Thanksgiving Day. Gasol, who said he's also better than brother Marc, defeated Noah in an epic semifinal and then Nikola Mirotic in the final.
"I played a lot when I was little," Gasol said. "(Mohammed) actually showed me the video before posting it for my approval. That was a good match. It's always fun playing Jo. He's very intense. So I enjoy beating him -- a lot."
Of course, basketball is what Thibodeau is focused on regarding Gasol. And his eighth double-double of 15 points and 15 rebounds on Friday drew more praise, particularly since Gasol shot 6-for-19.
"A lot of guys when it's not going their way offensively, they might fold the tent. He doesn't do that. He keeps working the game," Thibodeau said. "If he's not scoring, he'll find another way to help us. With his championship experience, he knows he can impact the game in a lot of ways."
All hands: Everybody but Taj Gibson practiced Saturday at Baruch College. Noah and Derrick Rose both said they felt fine. The Bulls are 4-0 when Rose, Butler, Mike Dunleavy, Noah and Gasol start.
"They have to play together. And they have to practice together," Thibodeau said. "That's the only way you can build chemistry."
Added Gasol: "When we are all together and healthy, I think our potential is really big."
