See, Thibs? The Bench Can Play

Sometime between the end of Monday's game and before Wednesday's contest with the Dallas Mavericks, Tom Thibodeau was convinced that using more of your bench is in fact beneficial to your team in an 82-game grind.  The result was a 101-78 victory thanks in large part to that very second unit.

Luol Deng got off to a hot start in the first quarter and led all scorers with 22 points.  Joakim Noah kept a low profile, but still had a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds.  Deng and Noah were the most productive starters, but as mentioned, the bench was let loose unlike on Monday.  The results were pleasing and just what Bulls fans were looking for.  Nate Robinson shot 5-of-6 from the field and finished with 14.  Jimmy Butler set a new career high of 13, which was boosted by a 9-of-10 night from the free throw line.  I don't know where Butler will go in his career.  Personally, I think he'll be a role player at best in this league, but I would also be happy if he turned into a regular starter once he pays his dues.  Marco Belinelli, who sat all of Monday's loss, received brand confidence after turning in an 11-point performance.  Taj Gibson's magic number was 8, which was next to him in both points and rebounds.

All you can say after this is that's more like it.  The defense was strong throughout, the bench was used just like it should be and the offense didn't let up.  The best play came in the second quarter when the Bulls outscored the Mavs 34-19.  Dallas never seriously threatened after that, but the club kept up the intensity even when the game appeared out of reach.

See what happens when you play all 48 minutes?  Thibodeau really emphasized that during his postgame press conference Monday.  He probably mentioned it a lot during yesterday's practice and this morning's shootaround.  As I talk about this, I further realize that this is the coach the Bulls have and he's not going to change.  Asking him to lighten up is just too much.  He'll drive his guys hard and he'll do it often.  It will either raise him up in the NBA coaching ranks or lead to his downfall.  Only time will tell.

The Bulls will have a couple of days off before getting into a rematch of last year's playoffs Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers.  Thibodeau needed his bench to even stay competitive in that series.  Has this new group fully regained his trust?  Hope so, but nothing this man does should shock us.  Not even if he drinks water a certain way.