'We've got a lot of work to do,' Del Negro says

Coach Vinny Del Negro thinks the Bulls have the players to win an NBA championship, but isn't predicting any miracles this season.

This all started during a radio interview early Tuesday on WMVP's "Waddle and Silvy Show." The appearance ended with an awkward exchange after co-host Marc Silverman pressed Del Negro on playing Derrick Rose in the fourth quarter of every game this season.

One of Del Negro's responses was, "Do you think we're ready to win a championship with all these young guys?"

Later at practice, Del Negro tried to clarify his comment.

"We've got a lot of work to do to be a championship-type team," he said. "In saying that, do we have the players to do it? I think we do.

"But that takes a lot of work and it's early in the season with a new group of guys, the injuries we're dealing with and trying to get everybody on the same page. You need to improve, I think, throughout the season to put yourself in those situations."

Byars stays on roster: Swingman Derrick Byars officially made the Bulls' opening night roster and should be in uniform against the Spurs Thursday. He's not sure how long he'll stick around, though.

"I'm taking it a day at a time and just trying to impress everybody the best I can each practice," Byars said. "They made me aware of the financial situation they have with the luxury tax and everything. Even though I have the rookie minimum contract, they're not sure how long they want to keep me around. Like I said, I'm just taking it a day at a time."

Getting this far is a nice step for Byars. In his first two years as a pro, the Vanderbilt product was released by the Magic and Thunder a couple days before the season opener and he's yet to suit up for an NBA game.

Rose wants heavy minutes: Derrick Rose continues to make progress with his sore right ankle and wants to play full-time against the Spurs on Thursday.

"My ankle isn't really hurting," Rose said. "Every day I come in, it's getting better. Today, I really didn't have to warm up that much to get it loose. I wasn't exhausted on the court. Hopefully, I'm getting back in game shape. I hope I play a lot of minutes."

Another topic on Tuesday was forward Luol Deng beginning to look more like his old self. He's coming back from a stress fracture in his right shin.

"He's been the leading scorer two days in a row on my practice team," Rose said. "He's been shooting the ball well."

Added coach Vinny Del Negro: "I think the last two days of practice have been Luol's most effective - especially today. He really shot the ball well and was active."