Fewer preseason games help boost practice time
Not that anyone would notice, but the Bulls are playing one less preseason game this season -- seven instead of the usual eight.
The reason for the change is coach Scott Skiles figures he gets more accomplished inside the walls of the Berto Center than playing against a bored opponent in front of half-interested fans.
"Pax (general manager John Paxson) and I are always talking about that," Skiles said Tuesday. "What we're trying to do is maximize practice time in October. So one less game certainly helps that. A back-to-back this weekend certainly helps that."
In past years, Skiles favored playing back-to-back games during the preseason, because it helped get the players used to the inevitable regular-season grind.
Now, he has changed his tune, suggesting some players may get time off during this weekend's back-to-back, when the Bulls visit Toronto on Friday and return home to face Indiana on Saturday.
"I'm a little concerned about the injury situation for one thing," Skiles said. "As I've said in the past couple of exhibition seasons, practice is just as important as the games this time of year. You could make the case even more important.
"So I want the guys to be fresh. Our preparation in practice has been excellent. I'd like to keep it going.
"I think more and more every year, if you follow the exhibition box scores and things, they really are practice games."
Of course, when it came time to knock a game off the preseason schedule, the Bulls eliminated a road game. They still have their usual four preseason dates at the United Center.
Noah sends notice: Joakim Noah may have earned more praise from coach Scott Skiles with a second-quarter display of intensity. After Joe Smith missed his first shot in a Bulls uniform, Noah got his hands on two tip-in attempts.
When those didn't go in, Noah dived to the floor and tried to rip the ball away from Washington's Gilbert Arenas, earning a jump ball call.
As Arenas climbed off the floor, the disgusted look on his face seemed to say, "Come on, kid, it's only preseason."
Noah finished with 5 points and 8 rebounds.
Bull horns: Washington's Antawn Jamison and Andray Blatche both left Tuesday's game with left ankle sprains. Jamison stepped on a courtside photographer, while Blatche landed on Aaron Gray's foot. … Ex-Bull Roger Mason Jr. started at shooting guard for the Wizards since neither Caron Butler nor DeShawn Stevenson played.