Johnson prepping for two positions

Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro is planning to prepare rookie James Johnson to play both forward positions this season.

The No. 16 pick from Wake Forest has the wing skills to play small forward, but at 6-feet-9 and 245 pounds, might have the size to match up against power forwards.

"I think it depends on matchups. I think he'll play a little bit of three and a little bit of four," Del Negro said Monday at the Berto Center. "He's played a little bit more three in the first couple days, but that will change. He can handle both because of his size and his strength and his ability to put the ball on the ground (dribble)."

Johnson also brings an interesting personality to the team. He was an undefeated kickboxer growing up and his father is a retired Marine. But the Cheyenne, Wyo., native is also very outgoing and friendly.

"He likes to have fun, which is great; keeps the atmosphere light," Del Negro added. "He's just a good kid. He's like a kid the night before Christmas coming to practice. He just loves it and it's great to see the excitement in his eyes."

Technical difficulties: To clarify a story that ran in Sunday's Daily Herald, Derrick Rose was sent letters of inquiry and had his SAT score invalidated by the Educational Testing Service, not the NCAA. After the ETS canceled the test score, the NCAA ruled that Memphis used an ineligible player for the 2007-08 season.

Bull horns: Kirk Hinrich returned to practice Monday after resting a tight hamstring the previous day. - Individual game tickets go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m. at TicketMaster outlets, the United Center, at Bulls.com and by phone at 1-800-4NBA-TIX.