''But [the players] may have their reasons. I picked up USA Today [Thursday], and Kirk [Hinrich] had said we need to get out of town because there's too much going on in Chicago or whatever. I guess that's referring to the fans booing. Whatever.

''I'm not being harsh by saying at some point, you've got to have maturity for those things not to bother us if we really want to become an elite team. There's no question about it. If that is a problem, even though we play the Clippers first, [the Bryant] questions are probably going to come for two straight days. If we can put something together, you can, once and for all in your own mind, put it behind you.''

Oh, and Nocioni will start again instead of Tyrus, which blows.

Say what you will about the man, but he and kirk are the defensive identity of this team.  he had some great work in this last game because his ankle is healed.  

What happened to the idea that defense wins championships?  I hope Skiles makes some better substitutions tonight.

• Cuttino Mobley absolutely man-handled Hinrich last time they met. I don't think Kirk will ever be the same after being abused so hard on defense. No sugar coating on that matchup, the last one was absolute rape.
• Ben Wallace is no match for Kaman. He is 6 inches shorter and can't jump. Kaman actually scores points from the center position. Yes, I know this comes as strange to Bulls fans, but his jumphook over the helpless and overpaid Wallace will be automatic tonight.
• Deng will choke. Dude can't hit the 2 foot chippies around the basket, he just doesn't have it. Take away his jumpshot and he's out of the game.
• Gordon is too short to be an NBA shooting guard. He greatly overestimates his ability. He thinks he's a $15 million dollar player. Then again, when the worst player on the team gets that much...

I would hope for that too.
But alas, I'm not feelin' the goodness tonight...(sigh)

So here's to at least HOPING for a decent game, although I do have to admit that nothing less than a WIN will help ease this pain.

Go Bulls...(please?)

And he HATES the Bulls?

Very admirable on his part.

Tonight's D was really good, largely because Ben Wallace seems to be feeling better. The offense benefitted from more penetration. Usually a layup wasn't there, but there were a lot of midrange shots available. And this team has several very good midrange shooters.

Let's see if they can do the same against a better Laker team that isn't missing anyone. I predicted one win in LA, now let's get greedy. They have a lot to make up for.