Bulls should try using more of the bench

The lesson to be learned from Friday’s loss to Miami wasn’t about anger management.

The Bulls were probably overdue to let off a little steam, so the 4 technical fouls collected in their seventh straight loss won’t be a big deal –- as long as Kirk Hinrich isn’t suspended for mistreating an official. That probably won’t happen, but it’s possible.

What the Bulls need to do during these difficult, shorthanded times is get to know the bench. Sure, Brad Miller and Taj Gibson give the Bulls the best chance to win right now. But running those two big men into the ground won’t help the long-term cause at all.

Looking just at the line score, Miller doesn’t seem overworked against Miami. He was credited for 34 minutes and played well, finishing with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

But consider that Miller, 33, played 16 minutes straight to open the second half. He finally checked out at the 7:39 mark of the fourth quarter, then was back in a minute later.

Derrick Rose will probably be back in the lineup on Tuesday in Memphis, but Luol Deng could be out a few more games and Joakim Noah is probably two weeks from having a chance at playing.

What better time than now to take a look at more reserves? Hakim Warrick logged just 10 minutes against Miami. Joe Alexander and Acie Law played garbage time. Maybe those second two guys aren’t quite ready to help right now, but with a little experience, who’s to say they won’t help win some games in April?

It’s not like sticking with the regulars is winning games for the Bulls. It was clear they were spent Friday when they went 0 for 7 from 3-point range in the third quarter. Too tired to attack the basket is no way to snap a losing streak.

So look down the bench and give everyone a chance to contribute. It can’t go any worse than it has been.

--Another factor that makes it difficult for Vinny Del Negro to use his bench is Chris Richard looks like a different guy than when he signed those two 10-day contracts in February.
Maybe the matchups have been bad, but Richard is having trouble keeping up. In the last three games (playing 17, 18 and 18 minutes), Richard has totaled 17 fouls, 4 rebounds and 2 points.