Hughes, Knicks return to UC

When the New York Knicks visit tonight, Bulls fans will get their first look at one of the six players who departed at the Feb. 19 trade deadline.

Larry Hughes missed two recent games with an ankle injury, but returned Sunday when the Knicks won at Toronto. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard has started 14 of 20 games in New York, averaging 12.1 points while shooting 37.9 percent from the field.

In an interview with the New York Daily News, Hughes had a complaint with how things ended with the Bulls. He didn't play after Jan. 12, when Kirk Hinrich returned from a thumb injury.

"I got a text message from the GM (John Paxson) - that's it," he said. "It was one line saying they appreciated my patience and wishing me good luck. I thought I'd get a courtesy call. They do it in every workplace, every day. When management sends you off, they give you a courtesy call.

"There's no relationship (with coach Vinny Del Negro). I didn't start, but that wasn't the issue. You can't start all the time. I understand that. And I voiced that. The issue was that he didn't give me a shot to be out there to contribute."

Salmons feeling better: All the Bulls practiced Monday, including John Salmons, who has been nursing a groin strain. After sitting out one game, he played 39 minutes in Saturday's win over New Jersey.

Coach Vinny Del Negro suggested he'll leave Salmons on the floor for long stretches, because the injury tends to tighten up on the bench.

"It's probably going to bother me the rest of the season, but I felt better today than I did the last game," Salmons said. "The more I get used to playing with it, the more I won't worry about it."

MJ makes it in: There wasn't much to say Monday about Michael Jordan gaining enshrinement in the Basketball Hall of Fame, since the announcement was one of the biggest no-brainers in the history of the sport.

"I expect to get a thank you card from him and (John) Stockton," coach Vinny Del Negro joked. "I helped put them in the Hall of Fame."