Last year John Salmons came over to the Bulls, played heavy minutes and tore it up for 20+ games. This year? He has stunk it up. He has been the biggest disappointment to date in this Bulls season.

Salmons looked like a late bloomer in 08-09. He finally got the chance to be a full-time starter and he put up excellent numbers. In Sacramento he shot 47% from the floor and 42% from behind the arc. Oddly, after he was traded to the Bulls, Salmons put up the exact same numbers — 47% and 42%.

This year Salmons is shooting 39.5% from the floor and just 35% from 3-point range. There are games where he is completely a non-factor. I’ve been amazed at how badly he misses on some open looks. You think Derrick Rose needs a new coach? Salmons needs someone too. There’s something going on there.

The combination of Salmons, Hinrich and Pargo was supposed to pick up the scoring that left when Ben Gordon did. Remarkably, none of them have done the job and all 3 are shooting it at a percentage much lower than their career average. Salmons is signed through 2010-11, but you have to assume that the odds of the Bulls dealing him have gone up.

Other Notable Performances:

• Joakim Noah had 11 points, 20 boards and 6 blocks, but shot just 4-16.
• Ron Artest did his best Larry Hughes, going 3-14 and 1-7 from 3-pont range
• Brad Miller filled up the stat sheet with 15 points, 8 boards, 6 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks
• John Salmons and Jannero Pargo combined for 1-9 shooting
• Kobe had 42 points on 58% shooting
• DRose and Luol Deng each scored 21 points
• The Bulls shot 39% from the floor and only 18% from behind the arc

Highlights: