New position for Deng

The move was hardly noticeable at the time, but when Bulls coach Scott Skiles substituted Andres Nocioni for Thomas Gardner midway through the first quarter of Friday's preseason victory over Dallas, he launched an experiment.

The new lineup featured 6-foot-9 Luol Deng at shooting guard and stayed that way for about 10 minutes during the course of the game.

"I guess the silver lining to the Ben (Gordon) and Thabo (Sefolosha) injuries is the fact that I can slide (Deng) over there in each of the two games," Skiles said. "I want those guys to come back. But right now if they don't, we'll keep looking at it."

Defensively, there wasn't a huge adjustment for Deng. During the first quarter, Dallas played Jerry Stackhouse and Josh Howard at the wings. Neither is really a true small forward or shooting guard.

"We think (Deng) can guard almost any two (guard)," Skiles said. "Early on in Lu's career, the guys that gave him trouble defensively were guys that were running off of multiple screens.

"But not so much anymore. He's a lot stronger than he was and he's a lot more clever and he's adept at using his length."

Skiles has suggested since the beginning of camp that he may use Deng at shooting guard and play a big lineup at times. One theory is Deng would be guarded by a smaller player and could use that advantage to score near the basket.

"The other guys, I don't know if they were cognizant that he was in the game at the two, which is a little bit scary, since it's happened twice already," Skiles said. "In a more regular-season setting, I would take control of that and make sure that we knew.

"But all of that can't fall to me at this point in our development as a team. The guys on the floor have to recognize that."

Deng only spent about two minutes at shooting guard during the preseason opener against Milwaukee. He doesn't see a big difference between the two positions.

"To be honest, there are just a few sets that are different," he said. "It feels the same."

Gray's stock rising: When the subject of Aaron Gray's double-double came up following Sunday's practice, coach Scott Skiles couldn't resist another dig at the rookie center.

"I feel like right now I could probably go into an exhibition game and get a double-double myself," he said before adding an unconvincing, "Just kidding."

Gray, who has averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds in two preseason games, did earn some praise.

"He plays like a big man," Skiles said. "A lot of times a guy comes up here and he's tall and everybody thinks he should just play like a big man: Keep the ball high, get your position. But a lot of guys don't do that. Those things kind of come naturally to him."

Injury update: Joe Smith participated in most of Sunday's practice. Ben Gordon (left-ankle sprain), Thabo Sefolosha (right-hamstring strain) and Adrian Griffin (sore back) sat out.

Gordon is expected back soon, but coach Scott Skiles wasn't sure of the timetable for Sefolosha, who practiced set shots following Sunday's workout.

"I think it's taken longer than we originally thought," Skiles said. "He'll be back when he's feeling better."