Hinrich feels fresh after passing on Team USA
Kirk Hinrich withdrew from Team USA in August just two days before the start of practice for the FIBA Tournament of the Americas, which the U.S. won easily.
The only explanation given at the time was family reasons. On Monday, Hinrich said he stepped away in part because he felt worn down. The previous year, he spent six weeks in Asia playing in the FIBA World Championships.
"Last year's summer was brutal," he said. "It wasn't brutal at the time. But I think it was just the grind of last summer, then the season. I felt like at times I didn't have my legs.
"I had a horrible summer (in 2006) as far as lifting and getting my body ready. It was the worst summer I had in a long, long time. I feel like not playing this summer really helped. My legs feel about as fresh as they have in a long time."
There was speculation that Hinrich would have been cut anyway from Team USA, which added point guards Jason Kidd, Chauncey Billups and Deron Williams to the roster.
"It wasn't anything like that," Hinrich said. "I arranged getting married around it. It was something I really wanted to do. I just felt like I was worn out. I just didn't have it in me and I had some other stuff going on and I wasn't able to do it."
New deals not close: General manager John Paxson acknowledged that he's not close on contract extensions with Ben Gordon and Luol Deng. If the two players don't agree to a new deal by Oct. 31, they will become restricted free agents next summer.
"I've had some discussions with the representatives of both Luol and Ben," Paxson said. "They obviously haven't gone anywhere, but that's OK. I have great confidence in both of them. They may take the attitude of they may play it out this year and see where the market is next summer. That's their prerogative."
Deng didn't seem too concerned, saying, "I've just really got to concentrate on playing more than anything."
Barrett comes back: The Bulls added five players to the training camp roster Monday, including point guard Andre Barrett, who spent last season with the team but didn't seem likely to return.
"I'm comfortable here, comfortable with the staff, the players," Barrett said. "It's a good environment. I enjoyed it last year."
The other additions are 6-foot-6 guard Justin Cage, 6-5 guard Thomas Gardner, 6-10 forward Joseph Blair and 6-10 forward Jared Homan. The Bulls still have a roster spot available if they keep 15 players.