OAKLAND, Calif. -- There are few constants in the universe of the 2016-17 Chicago Bulls. They win, they lose, their play has been erratic most of the season. But there are two constants Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg relies upon night after night besides the All-Star level play of Jimmy Butler. That's the effort and professionalism that veteran Robin Lopez and Taj Gibson bring to the floor.

Those two traits, within those two players, were on full display again Wednesday night as the undermanned Bulls, playing without Butler and Dwyane Wade, got crushed 123-92 by the Golden State Warriors. Lopez and Gibson combined for 32 points and 19 rebounds, but it's the dedication they show on a regular basis that Hoiberg respects most in the two big men.

"They go out there with their hard hat and their lunch pail and they do all the dirty work," Hoiberg said. "Never complain about anything. They go out and play their role. And you love having guys like that on your team. They're going to go out there and do the little things, do the dirty things that you have to do to have a chance to win."

Gibson has earned a lot of respect within the Bulls' locker room for years because of the way he approaches his craft. He is respected by his peers inside and out of the organization. Lopez has followed suit quickly since being acquired by the New York Knicks in the Derrick Rose deal last summer. Neither man plays for stats, they play for wins. A fact which has becomes even more apparent during such an up-and-down season.

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"I knew Robin since high school," Gibson said. "Him and his brother [Brook], two 7-foot humble guys. I have a great relationship with both of them but he's just one of those guys, he wants to win. And I want to win, too. Whatever it takes. We understand in this league, you're a big man you're going to have to do the dirty work, whatever it takes to help your team win ... we just work well and we're real unselfish. We're just there for our teammates."

Both men are usually quiet within the framework of the locker room, taking a back seat to the alpha role that Butler, Wade and veteran point guard Rajon Rondo have all filled at various times, but when either Gibson or Lopez speaks they command respect because of the effort they exhibit on the floor.

"We work well down low," Gibson said. "We can defend down low, too. But we're real unselfish. Real unselfish. You can tell in how we play. We don't really care about stats. We just try to get wins, try to do whatever it takes to get the team in the right state of mind, get our guys going."

Lopez echoed the same sentiments. In a trying year, Gibson and Lopez have given Hoiberg the type of stabilizing, quiet presence on and off the floor which has been much needed. Both players see the similarities with their approach and their respective attitudes.

"I appreciate Taj's game," Lopez said. "He's always out there busting his ass, hustling. It makes it so easy for me to want to throw him the ball. Not that I'm a ball hog or anything but with him it's a pleasure. I know he's going to go to work just about against anybody in the league."