Inside the NBA: Coast to coast

Da who?

Da, er, the Bulls were such a surprise to everyone, including themselves, that they were still adjusting when the trade deadline arrived with its hard choices.

At 38-17 with Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer limited to a handful of games together and two non-shooting shooting guards, they targeted Memphis’ O.J. Mayo, who shoots, defends and could even back up Derrick Rose at the point.

Unfortunately, they couldn’t bring themselves to part with either Taj Gibson or Omer Asik and lost out.

Within hours of the deadline passing, the Bulls came from 10 points behind to rock Miami’s world … while missing 17 of 21 three-point shots.

On the bright side, think what they’ll do next season with a shooter!

On the other hand, think what Miami will be with a big man!

The undefeated

The greatest starting team ever retires undefeated?

If Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins weren’t really the greatest — or, let’s face it, close — they were undefeated.

After winning their 2008 title, they never finished another season together. …

Right up to last spring’s Game 7 of the Finals, when the Lakers pounded them inside to rally from nine points down with Perkins out.

Now the Celtic Five never will be defeated after Boston traded Perkins to Oklahoma City, stunning his teammates.

The 6-foot-9, 280-pound nose tackle of their defense was right behind KG and Rondo in importance with his toughness and quick feet.

“Well, the bottom [line] is we’ll see,” Coach Doc Rivers said of losing Perkins.

“That team never lost, so we can just end that.”

Etc.

Capping a season of discord, the rudderless Pistons, who remained amazingly competitive as veterans on their way out sniped at Coach John Kuester, saw six players skip a shootaround. … In alphabetical order, they were Austin Daye, Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Rodney Stuckey, Ben Wallace and Chris Wilcox. … Benched for the 110-94 loss to the 76ers — the six were then caught on camera laughing on the bench when Kuester was ejected. … The players who showed up for shootaround and played were Will Bynum, Ben Gordon, Jason Maxiell, Greg Monroe, Dajuan Summers and Charlie Villanueva. … Personally, I’d say, send them to the Development League and let them ride buses the rest of the season.

Although the Knicks traded six players for Carmelo Anthony, the Nets landed the real prize, Deron Williams. However, with his contract up in 2012, Williams said, “I can’t really give any assurances or say that I’ll be here when I don’t know what the future holds.” … Denver’s big package will get smaller if Wilson Chandler, upcoming free agent, is allowed to walk — with Danilo Gallinari reportedly upset at being there.

Before trading him for Ray Allen, the Celtics drafted Jeff Green, a talented enigma at Georgetown and, subsequently, Oklahoma City. With Perkins spurning extension offers and the need for someone to relieve Pierce, bringing in a 24-year-old restricted free agent suggests an eye on the future, with a roster whose future is now. … “You hope that Danny [Ainge, GM] and Doc know what they’re doing,” Pierce said. “I mean, we put our trust in them so it is what it is.”