Rose excused from rookie game
Derrick Rose thought two all-star events were tough to handle last year. So he won't complain about being excused from the rookie-sophomore game this time around.
Rose was chosen for the All-Star Game in Dallas on Feb. 14 and will defend his title in the skills competition on Saturday night. The league announced Tuesday that Rose will be replaced on the sophomore team by Golden State's Anthony Morrow.
"The skills challenge was a lot last year," Rose said. "We had a game, I flew out at like 6 in the morning. I got there and had media (interviews) and all that stuff, then I had the game later on that night. I told the coach, 'Don't play me that much in the game.' He let me rest up a little bit."
Last year, Rose had the disadvantage of having to play a game in Chicago on the Thursday before the all-star break, then flying all the way to Phoenix and playing in the rookie challenge the following night. The Bulls' last game before the break this year is on Wednesday, so Rose will have a couple days to prepare for his events.
Skill players revealed: The NBA also announced Rose's competition in the skills challenge Tuesday. He'll go up against Phoenix's Steve Nash, Utah's Deron Williams and Milwaukee rookie Brandon Jennings.
Last year, Rose defeated New Jersey's Devin Harris in the final round. Cleveland's Mo Williams and San Antonio's Tony Parker were the other two participants.
"It's fun," Rose said. "You go out there and the crowd gets into it. It's real hard when you first start off with it, until you get some practice. Then you're fine. But it's hard getting through that little maze they have out there.
"The bounce pass is the hardest thing. Other than that, you just have to make a nice jump shot, weave through the little men and make the right passes."
Brown makes debut: Newcomer Devin Brown saw his first game action since joining the Bulls last week from New Orleans in a trade for center Aaron Gray.
The 6-foot-5 guard scored 5 points in 12 1/2 minutes, while wearing the No. 32 jersey that previously belonged to Larry Hughes.
"It was just one of those things where you're trying to get used to everything; hear the plays called in a game situation," Brown said. "As far as that goes, it was comfortable. Good to be back out there and looking forward to the next time. The plays aren't complicated and they did a great job getting me used to everything, so it felt good."