Bulls' Gordon still has work to do this preseason
While we're at the point where NBA teams get tired of playing preseason games, Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro has a strict mission in mind for a two-game road trip to Dallas and Minnesota, which begins tonight against the Mavericks:
See more of Ben Gordon.
The fifth-year shooting guard missed the first two days of training camp to get his contract settled, then was out for more than a week with a jammed right big toe.
When Gordon finally did play Friday against Utah in Champaign, he scored 23 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, as the Bulls (1-4) won their only exhibition game to date.
When the same two teams squared off a night later at the United Center, Gordon rested the toe and the Bulls scored 28 fewer points.
"Ben is going to be a focal point of what we do," Del Negro said following Monday's short practice at the Berto Center. "(It's important) not only for him to be in shape, but for the other guys to work off him and feed off him."
Gordon was able to practice Monday, though the Bulls didn't scrimmage or run any contact drills. Del Negro is still trying to introduce his concepts to players like Gordon and Joakim Noah, who missed a large part of camp with an eye injury.
The Bulls probably won't have a set playing rotation when they open the regular season next Tuesday against Milwaukee. Del Negro didn't rule out starting Gordon at some point.
"It'll depend on how healthy he is and how much practice he gets in and where we are with the rest of the guys," Del Negro said. "I'm not going to sit here and say I'm never going to start Ben. But really he hasn't played.
"I haven't seen him enough with the starting group to figure out where he can be best used. I know he can score. Obviously, I like his ability to score off the bench and give us a boost. But I'm not sure yet either way."
Bulls cut two: The Bulls released guard Darius Washington and forward Elton Brown on Monday, dropping their roster to 15 players. Technically, they don't have to release anyone else before next Tuesday's regular-season opener, but at least one more player is likely to go.
Former Illinois forward Roger Powell figures to get the pink slip soon, but he may have helped his cause Saturday. The Bulls trailed Utah in the fourth quarter and couldn't make up much ground until Powell came in with 2:27 remaining.
He grabbed an offensive rebound and hit 2 free throws, then buried a 3-pointer that brought the Bulls within 85-80 with 1:27 remaining. They had chances to get closer, but Demetris Nichols and Derrick Rose both missed 3-pointers in the final minute.
The 6-foot-6 Powell was a power forward at Illinois and is trying to become a wing player in the pros. He's spent time overseas and in the D-League after leaving college in 2005. Since joining the Bulls, Powell works on his outside shot after practice probably more than anyone on the team.
Coach Vinny Del Negro wasn't sure what will happen to the roster in the coming days. Powell and power forward Michael Ruffin are the two remaining players with contracts that are not guaranteed. Nichols has a partial guarantee.
Ruffin has missed most of camp with a sprained ankle, but the Bulls could use another experienced big man.
"Our health issue is something that's a concern just so we have enough guys to practice," Del Negro said. "Right now, it's at 15. We'll see as we move forward."
Rose attends funeral: Rookie guard Derrick Rose missed Monday's practice to attend the funeral of his uncle. Rose did not travel with the team to Dallas but is expected to play tonight against the Mavericks.