Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Chicago unveiled a new cornerstone with top- overall draft pick Derrick Rose's 11 points and nine assists, and completely put the Scott Skiles era in the rearview mirror during a resounding 108-95 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in the regular-season opener for both teams.
Rose was taken ahead of Kansas State phenom Michael Beasley in this past draft after leading the Memphis Tigers to the national championship game. This isn't Conference USA, but Rose looked right at home on the United Center court in his first game as the Bulls starting point guard.
Luol Deng benefited from Rose's dribble penetration and keen sense of the floor, scoring a team-best 21 points. Tyrus Thomas and Drew Gooden gave Chicago something it lacked last season -- a post presence -- with 15 and 13 points respectively. Thomas added 10 rebounds and Gooden grabbed eight, as Chicago held a 40-32 rebounding edge against the bigger Bucks.
Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich, the starting backcourt at times last season, added 18 and 15 points respectively off the bench. Hinrich also dished out seven assists.
Vinny Del Negro coached his first regular season game on the Chicago bench. The 12-year NBA player excelled as a guard in the league then as a front office contributor in Phoenix before being tabbed as the Bulls' next coach during the offseason.
Many of the Bulls looked plenty familiar to Skiles, who was abruptly fired on Christmas Eve last year after a 9-16 start amidst outspoken team turmoil.
His new team held its own for two-plus quarters before Chicago's wing players and depth took a toll. Scoring machine Michael Redd led all scorers with 30 points and Richard Jefferson, acquired in the offseason Yi trade, added 15 points.
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Milwaukee's top overall selection in the draft, Joe Alexander, did not play.
Rose, on the other hand, manned the controls for just over 32 minutes, making 3-of-9 from the floor and grabbing four rebounds.
