Chicago Bulls show lots of respect for the Magic

This article was written by Bulls' beat writer K.C. Johnson for Thursday's Chicago Tribune.

Referring to the Bulls' 107-78 loss to the Magic on December 1st, Bulls' PF Carlos Boozer said: 

"Yeah, I remember we got blown out," Boozer said. "They kicked our butts on the boards. They were more aggressive than us. They were more focused than us. We haven't forgotten that."

"I never dismiss those games," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "We have to do a lot better. They dominated us on the boards, basically got whatever they wanted. They put a lot of pressure on you because of their shooting and (Dwight) Howard's ability to roll to the basket.

Thibodeau also had this to say about the rest of the Magic:

"Jameer Nelson is one of those guys who never gets enough credit. He's a fierce competitor. He makes that team go. Put Jameer and Howard in the pick-and-roll and that opens things up for them."

"Richardson is an explosive player. Arenas is very talented. He hasn't been healthy. But that's a scary team. Howard is a dominant center who controls the paint and (blocks shots). Offensively, he has gotten a lot better."

"I'm very excited to play them," Boozer said. "They're a very good team. We like to think of ourselves as a very good team."