Boylan might want to see more of Noah as a starter
NBA rookie seasons are typically consistent for their inconsistency, which is one reason interim coach Jim Boylan liked Joakim Noah's recent foray into the starting lineup.
"He didn't seem to change the way he played," Boylan said. "He wasn't nervous. It didn't seem to faze him. He seemed to just play his game. It was great experience that can help us down the line."
With Joe Smith back to full strength after a bout with the flu, Noah returned to his reserve role after averaging 10 points and 9.3 rebounds in three starts. Smith played in Saturday's loss to the Kings but, still weakened by the virus, came off the bench.
"Whether I'm starting or not, I just want to help the team win and keep getting better," Noah said.
Particularly in the first quarter on Saturday, Joakim Noah flashed his typical energy but also displayed solid interior passing and an ability to get to the rim. Boylan and Noah both would like to see more consistency in finishing there.
Still, Boylan saw enough in Noah's game that he didn't rule out starting the rookie again. Smith has proven throughout his career he can handle either role.
"You like to start your games with that kind of energy because in the NBA, teams often come out and feel their way through the first three minutes," Boylan said. "If you play with high energy all the time, you can take advantage of those early moments. That's what Joakim does."
Cash counters
Another ramification of Memphis' decision to trade Pau Gasol in a salary-dump move is that the Grizzlies join the 76ers and Hawks as the only teams with salary-cap room next summer.
That's when Luol Deng and Ben Gordon will be restricted free agents after the Bulls tender them one-year qualifying offers to retain their right to match any offer sheets either player might sign. The Bulls also still can negotiate long-term extensions with both players.
Deng and Gordon both say they are tired of contract talk, but it's hard to imagine either of them leaping to join rebuilding efforts like, say, the Grizzlies'. Gordon has told confidantes that he has contemplated signing the Bulls' tender offer and becoming an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2009.
Whatever the case, next summer's free-agent landscape is limited.
Layups
Kirk Hinrich and Sonics forward Nick Collison are former college roommates and remain close friends, which is why Hinrich mocked the likeness of Collison's bobblehead doll that was distributed Monday. ... The Bulls held their annual team Super Bowl party at a downtown restaurant Sunday.
See more at www.chicagotribune.com
