Bulls' 'elders' watch practice from sideline

After wrapping up a grueling first week of training camp, some of the Bulls regulars still had enough energy left to launch extra shots after practice.

The oldest Bulls, meanwhile, spent the day on the sideline. Ben Wallace joined Joe Smith and Adrian Griffin among the spectators Saturday.

Coach Scott Skiles said Wallace was hit in the quad Thursday and given a precautionary day of rest. Smith missed his third day with a right knee injury, and Griffin has been slowly increasing his activity this week after experiencing a sore back.

"If we had a game tonight, (Smith) could play," Skiles said. "But we don't see any purpose right now in pushing it and possibly doing something worse. It's just not necessary."

This camp has been different than any the Bulls have run since 1997. For years after Michael Jordan left, the Bulls spent the opening weeks of practice trying to incorporate draft picks and introduce other newcomers.

Now, they have a group that's been together for a few years. The only new faces that figure to become regulars are Smith, a 12-year veteran, and first-round pick Joakim Noah.

"It's a lot smoother," fourth-year guard Ben Gordon said. "Guys know what we're doing. It's not as monotonous. When you have new guys, you have to go over things a lot. We have guys who know what's going on. I think we're moving very quickly."

Whether that familiarity pays off in the regular season remains to be seen. Skiles said he's already introduced some new wrinkles to the offense.

"I think it's a little more enjoyable, because we don't have to drill as much," guard Chris Duhon said. "I think the more we're able to (scrimmage) and get to know each other, it will help us on the offensive and defensive end."

Skiles talked about having a nice comfort level with the players, particularly the five who have been with the team since 2004. He doesn't spend time wondering whether the team needs more work in a particular area.

"But you know how it is," he said. "Once the season starts and you lose a game, you always feel like you're going back to the drawing board trying to figure out what's going on."

Bull horns: Former Bulls coach Doug Collins was a visitor at Saturday's practice. … The Bulls will hold their open scrimmage for season-ticket holders today at the United Center. … Ben Wallace executed an impressive trick shot following Saturday's practice. He flipped a ball from midcourt and got it to settle into a ball rack that sat against the wall behind a basket.