Nerves don't stop Gibson from double-double

Joakim Noah may have posted the most surprising numbers in Tuesday night's preseason victory over Milwaukee, but rookie Taj Gibson continued to deliver.

After finishing with 15 points and 10 rebounds, Gibson is averaging 14.0 points and 6.5 boards, while shooting 56.4 percent, during the preseason.

"Taj is a real humble kid," Noah said. "He's someone who works hard and has a professional attitude. I respect that, someone who just brings it every day and really wants to get better and cares about the team."

Gibson, the No. 26 pick in the draft out of USC, admitted he was nervous about being introduced in the starting lineup for his first game at the United Center.

"It was real nerve-racking. My heart was beating 100 miles per hour," he said. "Looking at all the banners - I'm a city guy from New York, so I love basketball. Coming in here and seeing the place where Scottie Pippen and (Michael) Jordan and all these guys played, it was rim-rattling for me."

Bucks guard learning: Milwaukee coach Scott Skiles announced Monday that rookie Brandon Jennings would start at point guard against the Bulls, then changed his mind and stuck with Luke Ridnour.

After hitting just 2 of 13 shots Tuesday, Jennings is shooting 28.8 percent from the field (17-for-59) during the preseason. He did have 12 assists against the Bulls.

Jennings, a lightning-quick guard, might have been the first U.S. player to go to Europe instead of attending college before jumping to the NBA. The Southern California native played for Lottomatica Roma in Italy last year.

"He's had stretches in all three games, which is typical, where he's looked really good for certain minutes," Skiles said after Monday's win over the Rockets. "You've got to be blind not to see the ability.

"Then he's had some rough patches as well where he runs out of gas a little bit."

Injury update: Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro is hopeful Derrick Rose (sore right ankle) and Tyrus Thomas (bruised hip) can return to practice Thursday. The Bulls play their final road game of the preseason tonight in Minnesota.

"For sure, Tyrus (on Thursday)," Del Negro said. "Derrick's day to day, but he feels a lot better. Being more cautious than anything, but I expect him to get out there Thursday and practice."

Brad Miller stayed home Tuesday because of the flu, leaving the Bulls with just 10 healthy players to face the Bucks.