There Are Blowouts and There Are BLOWOUTS

"This is actually a score? Is this the final?" - Utah coach Jerry Sloan after the Bulls beat the Jazz 96-54 in Game 3 of the 1998 NBA Finals

Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer are all smiling on the bench because that's where they got to watch the end of their team's home-opening New Year's Day clash with the Memphis Grizzlies 104-64. Everyone except for Rip Hamilton, who sat out with an injured groin, got in the scorebook one way or another. Only Brian Scalabrine failed to register a point (much to the dismay of much of the United Center crowd and those watching at home).

It's hard to pick what individuals really stood out in a game like this, but here goes. Carlos Boozer continues to show vast improvement from what he was last year. His double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds shows up in the box score, but you could tell just by watching the game that he looks like a completely different player who wants to help his team. He's going to be very dangerous and not look anything like a pushover if these early games are any indication. And I know I've said that already, but it's true and nothing has convinced me otherwise.

Speaking of dangerous, Ronnie Brewer really did his job stepping in for Hamilton in the starting lineup. He also had 17 points and shot 60 percent from the field. With Hamilton out, the Bulls discovered tonight that they definitely have someone who can fill that two-guard spot if faced with this situation again. Personally, I think Brewer should have been starting over Bogans last year, but that's a dead issue. We could see this type of performance coming with the early shooting success Brewer has had.

Derrick Rose had 16 and looked like his spectacular self and Luol Deng scored 11. Omer Asik dunked more than the one he usually has per game. I'll leave the analyses of those players tonight at that.

As long as we're on the topic of players stepping in, another such need may have been created tonight. C.J. Watson injured his left elbow in the fourth quarter. He went to the locker room and didn't return. Hopefully, Watson won't miss any time as his role in backing up Rose is valuable. If he does however, we may have found a new backup in John Lucas III. We only saw him in the fourth quarter, but you never would have known he rides the bench. He knocked in eight points, six of which were scored from three-point land. It'd be really nice to see him get a chance, but let's wish C.J. a speedy recovery at the same time.

Finally, congratulations to Jimmy Butler on getting his first professional rebound and basket on the same play.

The Bulls play next on Tuesday against the Atlanta Hawks at the United Center. I'll be starting my Tribune job that night, so I might not be able to watch it. I'll see if I can get my thoughts on what I hear about though.