Bulls' Blair 33-year-old rookie
When the Bulls filled out their training camp roster this year, they didn't use any age restrictions.
Six-foot-10 center-forward Joseph Blair, 33, is the oldest player on the team, though he has Adrian Griffin beat by just a few weeks.
"I seriously don't think a lot of (the Bulls players) know I'm a rookie," Blair said. "A lot of them, because I'm so much older, think I've played for a lot of different teams in the league. I haven't had to go through the rookie hazing, that's for sure."
College basketball fans may recognize Blair's name. He played with Damon Stoudamire on Arizona's 1994 Final Four team.
After being drafted in the second round by Seattle in 1996, Blair headed for Europe. He's played in France, Greece, Turkey and Italy, in addition to a couple turns with the Harlem Globetrotters. Blair was named Euroleague MVP in 2003 while playing for Ulker Istanbul.
After spending last season with Armani Milan, Blair didn't like the European offers he received during the summer, thought about retiring, then decided to see if he could join an NBA training camp for the first time.
"The Sonics held my rights for 11 years," Blair said. "I kind of made them play their hand whether to let me come to camp or not. Well, they finally released me after 11 years. I was fortunate enough that the Bulls offered to bring me to camp. I'm happy for the opportunity."
Asked to choose his favorite place to play in Europe, Blair called it a three-way tie between three cities in Italy.
"I played in a very small city in the mountains, Biella, which is definitely a second home to me because I have two kids there with my former girlfriend," he said. "I also played on the beach in Pesaro and I played in Milan for three years."
Blair is one of four players trying to earn the Bulls' 15th roster spot, joining point guard Andre Barrett, 6-5 guard Thomas Gardner and 6-10 center Jared Homan. Swingman Justin Cage was waived Monday.
"Unless somebody really wows us, we'll lean toward keeping (the 15th spot) open and having flexibility," coach Scott Skiles said. "But you can always have somebody in that spot to start the season who's not guaranteed. I guess anything's possible at this point."
Asking price incorrect: Without any prompting from reporters, Ben Gordon took exception to an item in Sunday's New York Daily News suggesting that Gordon was asking for $70 million over five years from the Bulls.
Gordon and Luol Deng have until Oct. 31 to sign contract extensions, otherwise they will become restricted free agents next summer.
"All I'm going to say is there were no quotes from myself or my agent (Raymond Brothers)," Gordon said.
BG, Thabo may sit: Ben Gordon and Thabo Sefolosha are both questionable for tonight's preseason opener in LaCrosse, Wis., against the Milwaukee Bucks. Gordon rolled his ankle during Monday's practice, and Sefolosha felt a tweak in his hamstring during Sunday's scrimmage at the United Center.
Veteran forward Joe Smith is also expected to skip the game because of a sore right knee. Sefolosha said his injury is minor, while Gordon suggested his ankle could use some time off.
"It hurt pretty bad. I rolled it," Gordon said. "It's a preseason game, so you don't want to force it. Taking a couple days off is probably the best idea right now."