The Bulls lost last night.

Let’s face it: after ripping off those five straight wins and then coming home to play the Clips, it was a bit of a trap game, a letdown game. It was a game they didn’t quite get up for. They came out flat (minus Luol Deng), Derrick Rose was cold in the first half as was most of the team, and the Clippers were able to establish a lead — via Chris Kaman knocking down some jumpers — that the Bulls never really challenged. It wasn’t more than six to eight most of the game, until the fourth, when the Clippers got a few steals in a row, and the lead ballooned up to 16. That about did it.

But nice to see Devin Brown get in and be productive. Nice to see former Hoosier Eric Gordon be the player of the game. Nice to see the Bulls hold their opponent to 90 points.

Oh, and nice to see Taj Gibson cross over Chris Kaman. Boom.

The Bulls take on the Spurs this evening in their season opener. Three things to keep on eye on tonight, and as the season progress.

1) The play of John Salmons and Luol Deng.

With Ben Gordon gone, the Bulls need scoring. Salmons provided it last year for the Bulls; can he do it again this year? Expect some regression, but it’s likely Salmons still drops around 14-17 a game. Deng will be interesting to watch as well. Can he return to form? Will he show off the potential he had a few years back, when many thought he was the next breakout star in the league?

Let’s hope. Because if Salmons and Deng fail to produce, the Bulls are in trouble on the offensive end.

2) Tyrus Thomas vs. Taj Gibson.

Tyrus Thomas will start at power forward tonight for the Bulls. Good. He’s in a contract year, is hungry, and if the Bulls are looking to trade him before the deadline, there’s no reason to stick him on the bench where he may pout. But you wonder what happens going forward here: if the rookie Gibson outshines Thomas when he gets out on the floor, will there be a battle for playing time? Will Gibson suddenly become the Bulls’ best trade bait? The job is Thomas’ for now, but don’t be surprised if Gibson gives him a run for his money.

3) The maturation of Vinny Del Negro and Derrick Rose.

Both were rookies last year. Del Negro as a head coach, Rose as a point guard. Del Negro took a lot of guff for questionable lineups during last season, but he got the monkey off his back in the playoffs, as the Bulls went toe-to-toe with the defending champion Celtics. Del Negro is far from an elite coach, but if he can improve with experience, the Bulls will be all the better.

For all the praise heaped upon Rose last year, he’s still got plenty to improve: his defense, his shooting, his vocal leadership.

If he can improve on all those things, it’s not a stretch to say Rose may leap into the top point guards in the league conversation — Derron Williams/Chris Paul/ Steve Nash — in the next year or two.

The Bulls unveiled their two draft picks at the United Center yesterday, and out the gate, both James Johnson and Taj Gibson seemed to have a realistic vision of where they might be slated once the season starts. From K.C. Johnson at the Trib:

Work seemed the operative word as both Johnson and Gibson talked like benchwarmers rather than first-round picks poised to sign guaranteed two-year contracts. ‘I’m going to come in early, get situated, work on my game a lot more,’ Johnson said. ‘Hopefully, I’m blessed to get in the rotation. If not, I’m going to be a great practice player.’ Said Gibson: ‘It’s all about working to help win games. I’ve always been the type of player who can fill a need for a team.’”

Hooray for level-headedness. Our own Jillian Jesk caught up with both these fellas yesterday as well.

Here’s her interview with Johnson:

And Gibson:

Watch, enjoy, etc.