May 04--Taj Gibson averaged 30.3 minutes during the regular season in four games against the Cavaliers, while Nikola Mirotic played half that amount at 15.5.
The Cavaliers' tendency to play small and flood the floor with shooting and players who can guard multiple positions suggests that discrepancy could continue in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
"He's probably our best low-post defender," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said of Gibson. "He's our best guy at moving his feet. Offensively, it's hard to put a small on him. He can overpower you inside with his post game, second shots. He's got a good 17-foot shot, so it's not like you can disregard him. He's critical for our team."
Gibson only averaged 21.8 minutes against the Bucks but closed with an extremely active Game 6 that featured him playing 26 minutes and guarding everyone from guards to centers.
"I love the fact that Thibs has confidence in me to guard multiple positions," Gibson said. "In Milwaukee he basically let me switch (point guard) through (center), and it's fun having your coach and your teammates behind you. He leaves me out there on offense too, knowing I can duck in late and post up and have fun with it."
Captain Kirk: Kirk Hinrich's role also greatly expanded in the series-clinching victory over the Bucks. The veteran guard played 20 minutes after logging a combined nine minutes in the three previous games after missing the first two with a hyperextended left knee.
"Just playing my role," Hinrich said. "Just trying to stay ready and bring energy whenever I'm called upon."
Thibodeau downplayed a question about Hinrich's role moving forward.
"He was hurt at the end of the year and he got better. If he's healthy, he plays," Thibodeau said. "He brings toughness, defense and veteran experience, gets the ball moving. He and Mike (Dunleavy) keep the ball moving quick. You need that."
Butler did it: Jimmy Butler draws the unenviable assignment of trying to slow LeBron James, which could sap his energy on offense. Butler averaged 24.8 points against the Bucks to lead the Bulls.
"He's got to do his job," Thibodeau said. "He has always guarded a primary guy. Same thing on the offensive end. We don't want any one guy carrying the burden. With a guy like LeBron, we need our whole team locked into him and not at the expense of opening up everything else."
Layups: The Bulls are at full strength for Game 1. Joakim Noah practiced fully after sitting some on Saturday with a minor illness. ... Freshly shorn Pau Gasol, a two-time NBA champion, was asked if he had a message for his teammates. He answered light-heartedly: "Let's all get new haircuts. That's the key component."
