Rookies chosen with the No. 16 and 27 picks in the NBA draft usually generate low - to no - expectations upon arrival.

So it's been a little surprising to see James Johnson and Taj Gibson jump into the spotlight early in the Bulls' preseason games.

Johnson's game is difficult to define, but his lively athleticism and varied skills have been intriguing. After a rough opening game against Indiana, the 6-foot-9 forward from Wake Forest averaged 16 points and 7.5 rebounds, plus 5 turnovers, in his next two.

Gibson has been logging significant minutes while Tyrus Thomas is out with a bruised hip, and has averaged 13.7 points. Gibson, a 6-9 power forward from USC, is an older rookie who plays like a steady veteran, biding his time and knocking down midrange jumpers when the chance arrives.

"It just comes natural to me because I like to watch film, like to just listen," Gibson said. "When the veterans talk to me, I listen."

It has also been obvious during the course of player interviews that Johnson and Gibson are popular with their teammates, which hasn't always been the case for Bulls rookies this decade.

"They're young, so it's easy to pick on them," center Brad Miller said. "But you see knuckleheads (in the league), and neither one of them is a knucklehead."

A funny thing about Johnson is how his personality doesn't quite match his personal history. As the son of a Marine and an undefeated kickboxer, you'd think Johnson would carry an intimidating presence, but he's as talkative and outgoing as anyone in the locker room.

"He does have a switch," said veteran guard Lindsey Hunter. "But for the most part he's just a fun-loving kid."

"He's kind of the life of the party," guard Jannero Pargo described. "He's a funny guy, not as in jokes, but we laugh at him a lot. He's just not a normal rookie. Most rookies are laid back and quiet. He talks as if he's been in the league six or seven years.

"Sometimes the things that he says, it's some slang that we don't quite understand. We just take it for what it is. He's a good kid, though."

Johnson is from Cheyenne, Wyo., a place most NBA players never visit. Maybe he's using Wyoming slang.

"That might be what it is," Pargo said with a straight face.

Johnson is having a great time with the Bulls and has been impressed by how helpful the veteran players have been.

"They welcomed us with open arms," he said. "They help us out, they're not selfish. They're not always trying to be like, 'This is my spot, I'm going to outdo you.' Luol Deng is constantly helping me out and it's a great honor to have a vet like that, someone who knows the ropes a lot more than me."

Johnson is even wearing his veteran-issued Dora the Explorer backpack with pride.

"Dora the Explorer starts conversations, so it's worth having," Johnson said. "I'm trying to make it a fashion statement, try to match it up. But it's hard with the pink."