Worried about attitude, Del Negro hints changes for Bulls

Losing at home by 20 points to a team that was riding a seven-game losing streak will not build much confidence toward the idea that the Bulls can still salvage their season.

Following Friday's 114-94 loss to Toronto, the two Bulls captains who played in the game, Kirk Hinrich and Luol Deng, ducked out of the locker room without speaking to reporters. Other Bulls were seen in the hallways chatting amiably with friends.

Coach Vinny Del Negro expressed concern following Saturday's practice at the Berto Center about whether his players have the right attitude about winning being the most important goal.

"I think that comes with leadership and with frustration. But, yeah, a lot of things bother me," Del Negro said. "You can't think you're going to be able to control everything. We have to find the guys who want to work and believe in what we're doing and how we want to play.

"We have a lot of different scenarios on this team we're trying to deal with, and at the same time try to go in the right direction. There's a lot on the plate right now. You've just got to figure things out as you go forward."

With an 18-26 record, the Bulls have fallen past Charlotte and New York into 12th place in the East, although they're still just 2 games behind Milwaukee for eighth place.

So while a playoff spot remains within reach, signs that the Bulls are capable of turning things around are fading fast.

Next up is the annual ice show road trip, which includes seven games in 14 days against Western Conference teams, beginning tonight against the streaking Minnesota Timberwolves, who have won eight of their last 10.

The third team captain, Drew Gooden, is currently sidelined with a groin strain. But he's been at every game and doesn't think a winning attitude in the locker room is any concern.

"This is not a team with a losing attitude," Gooden said. "I've been on a team (Orlando in 2003-04) when we lost 19 in a row and we were laughing before the game and we were laughing afterward. It was just a joke to us. This is not a team that's not taking it seriously. We are taking it seriously."

Gooden is the Bulls' only experienced big man and his absence has been an issue. The Bulls are 3-10 in games Gooden has missed.

Aaron Gray was the most effective center on Friday against Toronto, producing 7 points and 7 rebounds. Joakim Noah fouled out in 14 minutes, while Tyrus Thomas had a plus-minus rating of negative-33.

Del Negro acknowledged Saturday that he's thinking about lineup changes.

"The guys who are playing well and give you a chance, you put them out there," he said. "The guys who are going to play hard and buy into the system, you put them out there.

"Sometimes that means maybe some of your better players aren't going to play as much, so that doesn't help your chances of winning games. But I think more important for us is building the right culture and finding out the guys who want to work. And then we'll make adjustments from there with personnel."