Skiles: Bulls' Rose a star
The Bulls have been careful not to set any soaring expectations for No. 1 draft pick Derrick Rose. But Milwaukee coach Scott Skiles faces no such limitations.
"I watched him play in college and I watch his games now. The guy's a star," the ex-Bulls coach said before Friday's preseason finale at the United Center. "I think the sky's the limit for him.
"He's beyond quick. He's quick and fast, if that makes any sense, and so powerful. He can go to the rim and finish. He's got a bunch of unique shots in the painted area he can make, floaters and runners. That's not even to mention that he sees the floor, passes the ball. He can be very hard to handle, there's no question about that."
Rose suffered a hip flexor strain in the first quarter of the Bulls' 112-104 overtime win over Milwaukee. Prior to the contest, he talked about the two strong performances he had this week against Dallas and Minnesota.
"I'm getting more comfortable with the offense and with my teammates," Rose said. "I'm just reacting instead of thinking. This is almost like the Memphis offense. If you think too much, you're just going to kill yourself when you're on the court and beat yourself up."
Another strategy Rose employed is staying aggressive on offense.
"I'm not the type of point guard to sit back and pass the ball all day," he said. "I can score a little bit, so that helps the team. When I get to be more aggressive, we get people open. I'm just attacking and getting people open right now."
Skiles not sentimental: Bucks coach Scott Skiles didn't get too worked up about his first visit to the United Center since being fired by the Bulls last Dec. 24.
"I've played for five teams and coached three," Skiles said prior to Friday's game. "I'm almost a third of the way through the league, so I can't get emotional every time I go somewhere. I had a wonderful experience here. Everybody knows this is a great city and a great organization. I really like the players. I have good memories coming here."
Bulls extend three: The Bulls officially exercised the contract options of Tyrus Thomas, Thabo Sefolosha and Joakim Noah for the 2009-10 season. The moves were a formality, because those players would have become unrestricted free agents next summer if their options were rejected.
Bull horns: Tyrus Thomas managed to pick up 4 fouls in the final 3:46 of the first quarter Friday. That was his only action of the game. Thomas sat out the previous contest at Minnesota because of a mild ankle injury. ... Milwaukee center Andrew Bogut sat out with an ankle sprain.