By KC Johnson (Chicago Tribune)You have to go all the way back to Dec. 19, 2006 — a span of seven losses — to find the last time the Bulls defeated the Lakers.
You know, back when Derrick Rose was leading Simeon to state championships and Joakim Noah was leading Florida to NCAA titles.
At least Luol Deng, who had 23 points and 12 rebounds in that game, remembers, right?
"I didn't know that," Deng said. "I know we haven't beat them in awhile."
Another opportunity comes Friday night, when Phil Jackson, Kobe Bryant and Co. roll into town. Even though coach Tom Thibodeau downplayed special significance, other than crediting the Lakers' standard of play, his players admitted having the two-time defending NBA champions in the house gets the juices flowing.
"Yeah, it's exciting," Noah said. "You're playing against the best. I always have a lot of respect for Phil Jackson. Just being able to play against that team is special."
The Bulls were competitive Nov. 23 in a seven-point road loss until the Lakers went small and Bryant picked apart double-teams to find 3-point shooters like Shannon Brown and Steve Blake.
The Bulls didn't have Carlos Boozer then. But if the Lakers go small again, don't be surprised to see Thibodeau use the fourth-quarter lineup he employed in Wednesday night's victory over the Cavaliers featuring Deng at power forward.
Boozer sat the fourth quarter in Cleveland.
"Carlos is still working his way back," Thibodeau said. "Some days it's great. Others … he's going to be fine.
"The Lakers usually go big but also can go small. We feel that's a weapon we can go to also."
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