The Bulls look to rebound tonight against the Knicks after nearly completing a comeback at Madison Square Garden on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Cavs play host to the Bobcats, a team winless in their past 12 contests in a season where the squad may not even reach double digits in victories. Let's take a look around the rest of the Central Division to catch up on the latest news and happenings.
- Bulls executive vice president John Paxson says his relationship with head coach Tom Thibodeau is "very good," despite reports stating otherwise, writes Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com. In a conversation on "The Waddle & Silvy Show," Paxson denied allegations Thibodeau was unhappy with his current contract situation in which the Bulls hold a team option for the upcoming season. After a successful run as Doc Rivers' associate head coach in Boston, Thibodeau joined the Bulls as head coach prior to the 2010/2011 season after which he was named NBA Coach of the Year.
- Brendan Bowers of The Plain Dealer says not only are the Cavs in a position to set up their 2012 NBA draft in a fashion similar to how the Thunder built a championship-caliber squad, but can do so in a way that fast-tracks the process. Armed with two first-round draft picks, Cavs general manager Chris Grant has the opportunity to reshape the current roster to the point that the team could seemingly contend for a playoff spot next season. Bowers suggests Bradley Beal and Andre Drummond as potential fits for the Cavs if they end up with the fourth pick in the draft.
- Ben Gordon didn't sign with the Pistons just for the cushy contract but rather saw the organization as a place where he could consistently contend for titles, writes Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld. Unfortunately for Gordon, the Pistons have not reached the playoffs since his arrival while the Bulls have made the playoffs each season since Gordon left Chicago in 2009. The Pistons, 21-36 on the season, currently hold the 10th-best record in the Eastern Conference, leaving them on the outside of the playoff bubble once again.