Pargo trying to regain shooting touch
Jannero Pargo returned to the NBA after spending last season in Europe, playing for both Moscow Dynamo and Olympiacos in Greece.
Long regarded as one of the league's better streak shooters, the 6-foot-1 guard has connected on just 34.5 percent of his shots in the preseason, so has the transition back to the NBA been difficult?
"(The European competition) is down from the NBA, without question," Pargo said. "I think in the league I played in over in Europe, if that was the NBA, I would be an all-star as opposed to being a role player.
"I think I've gotten better in the pick-and-roll situation and making plays for other people. I just haven't shot the way I normally do."
Pargo, who played for the Bulls from 2004-06, missed practice the past two days with a hip injury and might sit out Friday's preseason finale against Washington.
"That's been hurting for a while," he said. "Maybe that's why I'm not shooting the ball that great. Hopefully it will be fine."
Rose a model athlete: Derrick Rose admitted he wasn't familiar with Victoria's Secret model Marisa Miller until recently.
"At first, everybody was telling me about her," Rose said. "Then I was seeing pictures of her, I was like, 'Man, she looks pretty good.' "
Miller, also famous for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, visited the Berto Center Thursday to officially nominate Rose for a Chicago's sexiest athlete award. His competition is Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher and Patrick Sharp of the Blackhawks.
"Any athlete, I think is sexy," Miller said. "I actually met Derrick (Wednesday) night. He has these long eyelashes and gorgeous eyes. He's sexy. I feel Derrick is a very strong pick to win."
After posing for some photos, Miller switched from high heels to sneakers and shot a few baskets with Rose on the court.
Video game touts Bulls: The EA Sports NBA Live season simulation had the Bulls finishing with a 51-31 record, good for fifth in the East, then beating Atlanta in the first round of the playoffs. The virtual fun ended there, however, as the Bulls lost 4-2 to Cleveland in Round 2.
The video-game simulation had the Cavs beating the Lakers in a seven-game NBA Finals, with LeBron James the regular-season and Finals MVP. Here's more virtual optimism for the Bulls: The computer gave the most improved player award to Joakim Noah.
Bull horns: The Bulls released power forward Chris Richard on Thursday, leaving the roster at 14 players. The only question left is whether they will keep swingman Derrick Byars. It's not likely but possible. - The Bulls held their annual bowling party for team sponsors Thursday night.