Division II teams not a good match-up vs DI, nor are Bulls vs Magic

Call it the worst match-up in the NBA.

The Orlando Magic are not really a good match-up for any team right now, riding a recent 11-game win streak to one of the best records in the NBA.

But with the likes of Dwight Howard, the most athletic specimen in pro sports, along with LeBron James, and a tall oversized roster, the Bulls looked like a Division II team running a scrimmage against North Carolina.

It was bad. So bad.

Dwight Howard drew a double-team on nearly every possession, forcing the Bulls to double-team and leave space for Orlando's shooters as the Magic topped Chicago 113-94. They took advantage, splashing three's like they were in a free-throw competition.

The game was over at 9:31 in the first quarter, and sadly, everyone at the United Center who began their holiday early, knew it.

As Eddie Murphy said in "Trading Spaces": "Merry New Year!"

The Magic are huge--Howard (6'11), Rashard Lewis (6'10), Hedu Turkulu (6'10), Keith Bogans (6'5) and tiny Jameer Nelson (6'0).

They're more athletic at nearly every possession, outside of point, and can defend. Howard's bid for Defensive Player of the Year continues. He is the absolute defensive presence, neutralizing Rose and Gordon with penetration and redirecting shots when lobbed at the rim.

While the Bulls' offense couldn't put it together today, this game was even more frustrating defensively. After making a respectable effort in a victory against New Jersey Monday, the Bulls looked disinterested and out of sync.

Rose continues to struggle with pick and roll defense, often being forced to switch on the bigger defender. In this case it was usually the 6-foot, 10-inch Lewis, who comfortably turned and shot over Rose or Hughes whenever in the post.

Mind you, Lewis is not a classic post player for a big man. But then again, the Bulls tend to make anyone who is tall, look good.

• Imagine this: Howard had a double-double at halftime. He was chuckling at times, while jogging up the court almost acknowledging that this was like the overmatched Oklahoma Wesleyan team trying to scrap with the Tarheels.

Rose tried to get the team going with some early scoring and was active on his drives, but began settling for jump shots--two of which didn't hit the rim. Meanwhile Ben Gordon opened up two for 10, which meant the Bulls had no chance.

This is the lifeblood of a jump-shooting team. They have to shoot well and they did't. The team opened up with 36 percent shooting in the first half, while the Magic cruised to 55 percent.

Say this for Vinny DelNegro, he knew the had no chance. The team packed it in early, allowing Lindsay Hunter and Cedric Simmons ample minutes.

The only positive for the Bulls was Joakim Noah played hard, he competed. That's saying a lot, given the last time the team faced up with Orlando the Florida native couldn't get off the bench.

Probably the most impressive part of Noah's day was that he didn't try to foul Howard on every possession and kept his hands moving to disrupt pass lanes.

But that was it. The year of 2008 hasn't been good for the economy, real estate agents, Republicans, newly minted retirees, hockey moms or the Bulls.

But somehow, a miracle occured when the Bulls landed that ping pong ball, which gave us Rose. And the bigger miracle, may have been that John Paxson chose the right guy at that spot.

So here's to 2009: A year where our new president has to clean up the mess of the other guy.

And it maybe it's no coincidence that both Barack Obama and Rose both play the point.