Even with Tyson Chandler on the court, the Bulls looked small against Minnesota in Monday night’s exhibition loss.
“There were times I looked out there and we looked incredibly small,” coach Scott Skiles said Tuesday. “Tyson has height but not width. We can look small even with him out there.”
This isn’t exactly a stunning development. In training camp Skiles acknowledged the disparity in size between the Bulls and most opponents.
“We’re hoping to make up for it in other areas,” he said. “The main thing for us is we have to all get on the same page to have any chance of making up for it in other areas. We’ve showed nice spurts, but we haven’t been able to do it for 2 1/2 or three quarters.”
Cutting back on foul trouble would be a good start. Michael Sweetney, the team’s leading scorer through three exhibitions, played only 20 minutes because of foul trouble and scored just four points. He wasn’t alone. Chandler and Darius Songaila drew fouls early.
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It’s a problem the Bulls have had often in recent years.
“The young big guys getting in foul trouble is something we have to conquer,” Skiles said. “Our foul trouble is really hurting us.”
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Former Bull Antonio Davis finally arrived in New York on Monday with his wife and children. Davis told reporters there he had mixed feelings initially about the trade that sent Eddy Curry and him to the Knicks. He added that he now is prepared to embrace his role with the Knicks. There is speculation that Davis and the Knicks still could reach an agreement on a buyout.
Layups
The Bulls waived Jermaine Jackson on Tuesday, no surprise since he was acquired from New York for logistical reasons in the Curry sign-and-trade. … Rookie Eddie Basden was a bright spot for the Bulls against Minnesota. In 19 minutes he sank all five shots, scored 11 points and had four steals to offset two turnovers. … Malik Allen still is nursing an injured hamstring, and Tim Thomas is wearing a boot to protect his sprained left ankle.