Strange starting lineup, but it works out for Bulls
The Bulls tried a new starting lineup in Saturday's 100-88 preseason victory over Indiana that was born out of necessity, opportunity and one surprising merit-based audition.
Luol Deng (sore right wrist) skipped the game and Ben Gordon has yet to play in preseason due to a sprained left ankle. Andres Nocioni filled in for Deng at small forward, while Thabo Sefolosha, who had been out with a hamstring strain, started at shooting guard a day after making his preseason debut.
Coach Scott Skiles made one additional change, using rookie Aaron Gray alongside center Ben Wallace, after Tyrus Thomas had started the previous four games at power forward.
When asked why he chose to start the 7-foot Gray, Skiles offered high praise for the second-round draft pick, who is averaging 10.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and shooting 61 percent from the field during preseason.
"I just wanted to make a change," Skiles said. "I don't feel like the other starting lineup played poorly or anything like that. On the other hand, I don't think it's been so outstanding that we shouldn't look at something different before the regular season.
"Aaron, from the first day of training camp -- of the group of young bigs -- has learned what we're trying to do better than the rest, has been able to execute the offense better than the rest. His defensive position is better than the rest and he deserves an opportunity."
Gray's playing time was limited Saturday because he collected 6 fouls in 15 minutes, earning his second disqualification of the preseason.
"I still realize I have a lot to work on," said Gray, who did score 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting. "I'm just trying to build confidence in (Skiles) and in my teammates. If I can stop fouling so much, maybe I could be out there and help out my team a little longer."
The makeshift lineup actually worked well. The Bulls pulled away in both the first and third quarters, leading by as many as 20 points.
Nocioni was red hot, knocking down his first 4 attempts from 3-point range and 7 of 9 shots overall while finishing with a team-high 20 points. After the game, he insisted the performance was not an effort to wrestle the starting job from Deng.
"I don't believe I can do that. I think Luol Deng is the best three player (small forward) here," Nocioni said. "I was lucky, that's it. Sometimes your shot is going in and sometimes no."
Sefolosha was another standout, finishing with 9 points, 6 assists and 4 steals. Thomas (15 points, 7 rebounds) also had one of his better performances of preseason off the bench.
The bad news was the Bulls piling up 31 turnovers, compared to 30 by Indiana, which played without Jermaine O'Neal and Troy Murphy.
Injuries are another concern. Besides Gordon and Deng, Joe Smith sat out to rest a sore knee. Nocioni has a sore right calf, Sefolosha left the game when his hamstring tightened up and Duhon took a shot to the hip.
"We have to, I feel like, get everybody together at least some for practice," Skiles said. "Hopefully we can do that."