Nov. 15, 2008 at United Center
Bulls 104, Pacers 91
PACERS COACH JIM O'BRIEN
(On Derrick Rose) "Rose had a terrific game. He is an all-star in the making. He is a rookie who is going to blossom sooner than many people think. Maybe as soon as the end of this year. He's knocking down threes already as you saw tonight."
(On their play tonight) "The nine turnover differential was really the cause of our downfall. We also just didn't shoot the ball well tonight. We had a lot of good looks but it just didn't bounce our way. We did some good things. We kept them off the glass and kept their shooting under 40 percent. They came into the game in the top ten in rebounding so we did a good job there. The nine turnover differential was just too big. We didn't change anything from how we normally play. We play one way on defense and one on defense. The Bulls just beat our butts in the fourth quarter."
PACERS GUARD T.J. FORD
(Regarding the last two games) "We have to do a better job protecting the ball. Sometimes it is just simple mental mistakes. Sometimes it is the defense. And sometimes it is just being lackadaisical. The bulls played hard, they were able to exploit us a little bit tonight. We had our opportunities, but they went on a run and took the game from us in the fourth quarter. "
(On Derrick Rose) "He's playing well. He's definitely playing well as a rookie, he's doing a great job. He's able to pick and choose his spots which he did very well. Once he hits one or two threes, his confidence just exploded from there. He put some big plays together. "
BULLS COACH VINNY DEL NEGRO
“Another good win. It was not pretty at times. We got beat up on the glass. We shared the ball better in the 2nd half. Derrick took over the game a little bit. Larry Hughes came in and gave us a boost and without question Noce was a big factor for us. It was another overall good effort for us in the 4th quarter. With the road trip coming up getting this win was very big for us.”
(The defensive effort on Danny Granger) “Luol played him tough and Larry Hughes came in and was right up on him. Danny was a big part of our game plan, we wanted to control him. Also, TJ Ford is very difficult in the open court. We did a very nice job with our transition defense. Some turnovers left the ball for them in the open court, but overall we got back on defense better. We put emphasis on that because they are so good in the open court.”
(Have you seen a rookie with such consistency in your NBA career?) “I have seen some other great players do it. He is still very young, but Derrick has a calmness about him. He has the right demeanor. He just keeps coming at you. My job with him is just every day just let him learn one or two things and put him in areas where he can use his athletic ability. Ben did not shoot it well tonight but he is such a focal point. We just tell guys- 'go do your job, you know what your job is on the team, just go do it.' Guys are just trying to do it a little better.”
(It looked like the offense bogged down when Derrick Rose was out of the game) "We tend to pound the ball too much. We are much betgter when we move the ball. When we get 4 or 5 passes, that is what is it is all about in this league moving the ball from strong side to weak side. Derrick helps us move the ball a little more. And also I don't like Ben Gordon handling the ball too much. When Derrick gets penetration, he can find Ben moving without the ball.”
(On the road trip being a problem for the Bulls in the past) “I'm not worried about the past other than to respect history. This is a different team and a different time. I expect us to become a better road trip team. There are no easy ones out there (on the west coast).”
BULLS GUARD DERRICK ROSE
(On the offense) “Our spacing allowed us to get some open shots and we knocked a few down.”
(On his increased scoring in the 3rd qtr) “I just want to win, that's the only thing. I know that this road trip is going to be a monster and we just want to keep things going on the right track.”
(On taking open jumpers) “They are giving it to me and I'd be a fool not to shoot it. My teammates want me to shoot it and yell at me if I don't. Then they tell the coaches and tell them to take me out of the game.”
(Is he scoring more than expected?) “I'm not really used to scoring, I'm used to getting my teammates involved. I am scoring more than I thought I would, but I'm just trying to help us win.”
BULLS GUARD LARRY HUGHES
(Are you getting more comfortable?) “Definitely, I'm just trying to read, anticipate, snuff out plays and on offense- trying to help by getting my teammates involved."
(On Derrick Rose) “He's being really aggressive. He has the ball in his hands a lot and he's attacking more in the 3rd and 4th qtrs. He's figuring it out. He's been able to help the most by getting everyone involved.”
(On the road trip) “I'm looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to it. We just have to stick together and every night it's probably going to be a different guy leading us. There are going to be ups and downs but I'm really looking forward to seeing what we're made of. Maybe we can catch some teams on their back to backs and even things out.”