By KC Johnson (Chicago Tribune)Tyrus Thomas and John Salmons started all seven playoff games against the Celtics last season, with Thomas hitting the jumper to seal the Game 1 road victory and Salmons averaging 18.1 points in a staggering 44.7 minutes thanks to all those overtimes.
For now, both players are accepting reserve roles like pros, solidifying a Bulls rotation that finally is at full strength and helping to transform some meager offensive numbers.
Some may think it coincidence that the Bulls are 3-0 since Thomas returned from missing seven weeks with a fractured radius in his left forearm and coach Vinny Del Negro replaced Salmons with Kirk Hinrich and Brad Miller with Taj Gibson.
But the numbers say otherwise. The Bulls have averaged 39.3 bench points in their three-game winning streak, a ridiculous upgrade over their average of 24 points in the first 27 games. All other major statistical numbers also have improved.
"We're getting great production off the bench," Del Negro said. "I think our rotations are working well."
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