Del Negro to media: You've never done it

During a long interview following Thursday's practice at the Berto Center, Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro took exception to criticism he's received in the media.

"It's easy to sit back on the sidelines and everybody has all these great ideas and all these things that people think they know what they're talking about," he said. "But until you live it and do it, no one has an idea. All you guys have to write and do your job and come up with stories and things and that's all great. But you guys really don't know what it's like, because you've never done it."

Just as quickly, Del Negro took a different approach and suggested he agreed to take on criticism when he was hired to lead the Bulls last year despite having no prior coaching experience.

"You can't take a position like this and not think you're going to get criticized," he said. "It's part of the deal. If you can't live with the criticism and the heat, then you shouldn't take the job; you shouldn't be in pro sports."

Hinrich practices: Kirk Hinrich participated in all of Thursday's practice, so it looks like he'll stay in the lineup.

Hinrich returned Wednesday in Atlanta after missing six games with a sprained left thumb. He missed all 9 of his shots, though, and did not score.

Coach Vinny Del Negro suggested it might still be 2-3 weeks before Tyrus Thomas (broken left arm) will be ready to resume game action. Thomas has been doing some shooting and conditioning during his absence.

"It is a loss not having those guys," Luol Deng said Thursday. "We're definitely better when they're here, but I don't think we're 30 points worse."

Bull horns: Naperville native and WNBA star Candace Parker will host a girls basketball clinic this Sunday from 6-9 p.m. at the Bulls-Sox Academy in Lisle. ... Fans are encouraged to drop off nonperishable food items before Saturday's game against Boston at the United Center to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository.