Bulls may finally get day off this weekend
A day of rest may be in sight for the Bulls.
After Wednesday's workout at the Advocate Center, coach Fred Hoiberg suggested the team's run of work days might end Sunday, after the Bulls' third preseason game. That would make 12 straight days to open training camp with either a practice, game or two-a-day.
"I think the big thing is, we need the work," Hoiberg said. "We haven't given them a day off yet. We'll play (Thursday at Indiana), come in and correct some things, play again on Saturday night and take Sunday off. I just feel like we need the work. We've had tentative days scheduled where we might take the day off, but I just felt like we needed to be in the gym."
In recent years, it's been common for the Bulls to take a day off after the third or fourth day of camp. So far, the only injury of note is Denzel Valentine's sprained left ankle, which happened during Monday's preseason loss to Milwaukee.
Game No. 2 plan:
Next up for the Bulls are two straight games against the Pacers - Thursday in Indianapolis, then Saturday at the United Center. The starters' minute might start to increase in the second contest.
"We'll go one more game with lighter minutes," coach Fred Hoiberg said. "I'll play them a few more this game than they did in the first one. Jimmy (Butler) for sure will play a little bit in the second half, a short stint in the third quarter and then we'll get him out the rest of the game. We still want to get our young guys an opportunity. (Second-round pick) Paul Zipser will see some minutes tomorrow. We will continue to ramp up and get our guys ready for the regular season."
Dwyane Wade was the first player subbed out on Monday and he returned to the court before the first quarter ended. Hoiberg said between Wade, Butler and Rajon Rondo, he'll try to keep at least two of the three on the court throughout the first half.
Ring for sale:
Anyone who hasn't done enough to celebrate the Bulls' 72-win season of 1995-96 can bid on the championship ring worn by reserve forward James Edwards.
Edwards' ring is up for bid on Lelands.com, along with other one-of-a-kind sports memorabilia. As of Wednesday afternoon, the high bid for the Bulls championship ring was $3,897. The auction closes Oct. 28.