I'd put [Westbrook] between Williams and Rose [all three behind CP3] ... he's harder on the eyes than Rose but at the moment he's the more effective player.

Zach Lowe of SI: When does stat-grubbing go too far?

Bulls #1 in defensive efficiency (as of Jan. 9th)

Sources: Fight with Grizz 'mate leaves Mayo's face 'swollen'

Love told SI.com that during last summer's World Championship in Turkey he had conversations with USA Basketball teammates Russell Westbrook (who played with Love at UCLA) and Derrick Rose about the possibility of someday teaming up in the NBA. Oklahoma City's Westbrook and Chicago's Rose are also permitted to sign extensions this summer.

''I'm trying to change it now where instead of avoiding the contact and hitting crazy shots, I'm trying to get fouled and go to the free-throw line,'' he said. ''It's kind of weird for me right now getting used to it, but it's coming along.''

Bulls reach contract agreement w/ Noah

Boozer out eight weeks with fractured hand

@sportsguy33: Sorry about that (on bberry). Use this instead. RT @BullsBlogger: Bad (and spammy) link on that Sam Smith piece. here: http://bit.ly/c0Tbjn

Breaking: Hornets, Rockets, Pacers & Nets working on 4 team deal. Ariza to NO. C. Lee to HOU. Collison & Posey to IND. Murphy to NJ.

@JTMamba24 Durant is the man on the USA team, W/no Amare who's 2nd best? (Not sure KD is no. 1. DRose has been best player so far.)

Brewer apparently wasn't willing to commit to the Grizzlies' latest offer because of pending negotiations with Chicago and Utah.

The Blazers rejected the Wolves' offer of the No. 4 pick for Batum a couple of week ago

And you take a risk dumping Deng and Hinrich, two guys who play hard, for say, someone like Bosh, who doesn’t particularly play that hard

Thibodeau is still waiting on inevitable Hornets offer, but sources say he's eager to meet with Nets and Bulls. Chicago's his preferred job.

David Stern places revised '10-'11 cap figure at $56.1 million, a boon to teams pursuing free agents. #NBA

I don't know how Gibson's performance would factor in if management felt they had legitimate chances to land Bosh or Johnson. I'd lean towards your thinking. Sign Johnson because Taj is at least viable and Johnson fills a need.

It makes you appreciate those types all the more and roll your eyes at people like Aaron Gray, who acted like they were Michael Jordan when they should've been thankful to be in the league.

Right now, with 20 games left, it's not about individual stats or anything. It's about getting the win.

Source says Clippers have dealt Marcus Camby for Travis Outlaw and Steve Blake. Details and deeper confirmation to follow on the mothership.

Ric Bucher reported on Sportscenter today that the Bulls are one of three teams who have offers on the table for Amare. I don't have a link since it was on TV, but this surprises me given all the Bulls beat guys have basically said we don't have much interest in him. What say you, BaB?

Tyrus Thomas suspended one game for conduct detrimental to team

I'm around Rose enough to know he'd prefer to be the second scoring option. Management is basing its entire philosophy moving forward on acquiring a star. If it succeeds, Rose is in the perfect role. He's only scoring at the clip he is now because he has seen an offensive void and is trying to address it. So I agree that a shoot-first point guard may not be conducive to winning. But I don't think that description fits Rose.