Bulls center Pau Gasol has won two NBA championships, played in six All-Star games and battled some of the league's best big men throughout his 15-year NBA career.

Few 7-footers have knocked down jumpers as well as he has consistently. In fact, few still do. He's shooting 45.2 percent from 16 feet and beyond this season (502 attempts).

So what does he think of Heat center Hassan Whiteside's relatively newly discovered shooting touch from outside the paint? Basically, Gasol said, you've to show it respect.

"I saw [Sunday's game against the Knicks] and he knocked down a couple of them very easily, very comfortably, very confidently," Gasol said. "So, you have to now close out the gap a little more with him. So he doesn't feel as comfortable, make him hesitate a little. Don't give him that two automatically because he's proven that he can knock it down."

Whiteside's perimeter shooting numbers since the All-Star break are pretty good. He's 9-of-16 (56.3%) on eight to 16-footers and 4-of-7 (57.1%) from 16-to-24 feet.

Told what Gasol had said about respecting his shot, Whiteside responded: "I don't really know if teams are showing more respect. I just feel confident taking it. For some reason I guess teams don't [respect it] because of the [my free throwing shooting] or whatever. They don't think I can shoot it. But I like being left open like that. So, I hope they don't respect it."

Gasol, like many others, firmly believes Whiteside is a talent that simply needs more polishing.

"I think he's a good defensive player because of his length and great timing," Gasol said. "He can alter so many shots in the paint and he rebounds the ball really well, consistently. Offensively, he seems to be developing. With his length and athleticism he's hard to stop. I think he can get a lot better on some skills and moves close to the paint.

"But I think he's one of the good young centers in this league for sure, without question. It's just a matter if he continues to work and stays with the commitment and discipline necessary to become a better player."

Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said Whiteside's presence has been felt even more since the loss of Chris Bosh.

"They are playing smaller lineups which puts you in a bind a little bit with the way you have to guard a spread four out there," Hoiberg said of the Heat. "Whiteside is such a force with his ability to roll to the rim with the four shooters out there. So, it's a tough game. It was a great pickup for Miami to get Joe Johnson for the stretch run. We're going to have to play well to have a chance to win this one."

Hoiberg said it looked in Sunday's game like Johnson fit in with the Heat seamlessly.

> The Bulls will have former league MVP Derrick Rose back in the lineup Tuesday. He's missed three games in a row with a hamstring injury.

"I'm anxious. But, while I'm out there I've just got to play smart," Rose said. "Of course I want it back as soon as I step out on the floor. But it takes game steps, game reps."

> Rose had nothing but good things to say about former teammate Luol Deng.

"Just a great guy, great teammate, great veteran," Rose said. "Someone you can go to about anything, not only basketball, but life experiences. A real humble, shy guy. Unless you get to know him, then he opens up. But I loved playing with Lu while Lu was here."