Gordon returns to practice, says he's ready to go

The long wait is finally over.

Bulls guard Ben Gordon returned to practice Sunday after missing most of training camp with a jammed left big toe. According to Gordon, he's a lock to play in Tuesday's regular-season opener against Milwaukee.

"I'm definitely upbeat," Gordon said. "It's a new year, new system. There's always a certain amount of excitement going into something like that."

Now the Bulls have to work Gordon into the rotation, but since he scored 23 points in his only preseason appearance, that shouldn't be too difficult.

"I thought he moved well," said Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro. "He made some shots, which he usually does. So it was a good sign."

In other injury news, guard Larry Hughes has already ditched the arm sling he wore in the aftermath of suffering a dislocated right shoulder Thursday in Minnesota. He expects to be ready for game action within two weeks.

"I did some dribbling today," Hughes said. "Raising (the arm) over my head is probably when I feel it the most. It's feeling pretty good, though."

Reinsdorf watches closely: Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf made a rare visit to practice Sunday, something Vinny Del Negro would like to see more often.

"I want him around more. We've talked about that," Del Negro said. "Because he's the boss and it's always good to see the boss and keep everybody in line a little bit."

According to Del Negro, Reinsdorf did not offer any suggestions to his new coach, who took the job without any prior coaching experience.

"No, that's one thing good thing about Jerry," Del Negro said. "He hires you, then lets you go to work and do your job. That's been great. He's been very supportive in the things I've wanted to do in terms of changing some of the facilities, with player movement and things. He's been doing it a long time. He knows the ropes pretty well."

At the end of practice, Reinsdorf asked to speak with Ben Gordon, who turned down the Bulls' long-term contract offer and signed the one-year qualifying offer on Oct. 1. Gordon will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Ruffin sticks around: Power forward Michael Ruffin was at the Berto Center on Sunday and will likely be re-signed when he recovers from an ankle injury.