Amid spate of injuries, Skiles hints Smith may start
A day after three Bulls big men limped off the court during the preseason finale against Milwaukee, the rankings are out.
Joakim Noah got it the worst. The rookie center was using crutches a day after spraining his right ankle and figures to be out at least a week.
Ben Wallace's sprained left ankle isn't as bad. The veteran center was able to walk under his own power to the team's annual tipoff luncheon at the Hilton Chicago and later to a promotional appearance at a downtown Harris Bank.
It seems probable that Wallace will play in the Bulls' regular-season opener at New Jersey on Wednesday.
Tyrus Thomas' injury officially was ruled a right foot strain, but he says he's fine.
Andres Nocioni sat out Thursday's 97-81 victory over the Bucks with a sore calf, then vowed not to miss any practice time.
The Bulls did not practice Friday, and coach Scott Skiles guessed that he may give the players another day off to help heal.
"There are definitely things we need to work on," Skiles said. "But I can't get carried away, either, because we want to be healthy."
Skiles still hasn't decided who will be the team's fifth starter in New Jersey along with Wallace, Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon and Luol Deng.
He suggested veteran Joe Smith may now be the leading candidate, even though Smith never started during the preseason and has missed time with a sore right knee.
"You always prefer to have a veteran out there starting, so we'll see," Skiles said. "I thought last night was his best game. I thought he moved really well and hopefully the knee is behind him now."
Smith hit 5 of 8 shots to finish with 12 points and 4 rebounds against the Bucks. Thomas started five of the seven preseason games at power forward, while rookie Aaron Gray got the call in the other two.
Thomas insisted Thursday it makes no difference whether he starts or comes off the bench. If the coaching staff feels he'd help the team more as a reserve, then Thomas will abide.
"As a competitor, you have to know that and not be selfish," he said. "If I start, if I don't start, it doesn't matter to me. That's more the media and the fans put a big deal on that."
The Bulls are hoping to have a better read on Noah's sprained ankle today after the swelling goes down. Skiles said Noah is capable of walking, but he used the crutches to keep weight off the foot.
"He got on the bus to come over here and then I took him off," Skiles said after the luncheon. "(Trainer) Fred (Tedeschi) took him back to get treatment. I didn't see the point."