Even though Carmelo Anthony didn’t play on Thursday night as the Bulls hosted the Knicks — Anthony’s first foray back to Chicago since nearly joining the team during this summer’s free agency period — it was a sore reminder of what could’ve been. That being said, Thursday was also a resounding endorsement of what currently is. Thursday’s win, a 103-97 victory over a stumbling New York team that was ultimately closer than it should’ve been, was by no means pretty. The Knicks, without Anthony or J.R. Smith healthy, were actually leading the Bulls, 77-75, with 9:38 left in the game. The effort on the glass was abysmal on the Bulls’ part, and a 5-23 team shouldn’t be within striking distance of a legitimate title contender, with or without a healthy Derrick Rose. But for all that went wrong on Thursday night, there were two examples of what went exactly right as a result of the Bulls missing out on Anthony during the free agency period: Pau Gasol and Jimmy Butler. If only every contingency plan (Gasol) could yield 15 double-doubles, good for second-best in the NBA, 18.7 points per game and 11.9 rebounds per game, which ranks third in the league. Gasol has been nothing short of revitalized under Thibodeau and the Bulls’ tight-knit locker room. “We ended up fine, as we did in 2010,” Thibodeau said on Thursday referencing the free-agency process. “Free agency, there’s no guarantees. Everyone is trying to get everyone. You’re hopeful. It’s really designed to keep the player with the team that he’s with. I feel we came out great with Pau.” Great would be an understatement, as Gasol has galvanized the frontcourt with Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson missing significant time with various injuries. On Thursday night, as just one example, Gasol had 20 points and seven rebounds, which marked just the second game of his last 11 that the 34-year-old failed to log a double-double. - See more at: http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/gasol-butler-proving-more-melo-consolation-prizes-bulls
