Duhon knows he must stay confident

Chris Duhon is trying to stay positive as he struggles through another shooting slump. The Bulls point guard is shooting just 14 percent from the field since joining the starting lineup Dec. 28.

"The thing with me is sometimes I let my shot bother me," Duhon said Monday at the Berto Center. "I'll pass up shots or the shots I do take, I'm not fully confident in shooting. I've got to be confident the whole time. Nobody shoots 100 percent. Guys go through rough stretches."

Duhon has been there before. He went through a nearly identical slump last year in early January that lasted a few weeks.

"I was thinking about that at home yesterday, that it was kind of like the same time last year," he said. "Right now, I'm just trying to get extra shots up, trying not to let that mess up my head in any way. Last year it kind of got to me. This year, I've just got to find a way, (maybe) try to find different ways to score. I just can't hesitate."

Coach Jim Boylan voiced support for his point guard. While Duhon has missed 23 of his last 24 field-goal attempts, he's also piled up 27 assists compared to 4 turnovers during his six games in the starting lineup.

"I think that sometimes guys can contribute in different ways and it's not always putting the ball in the basket," Boylan said. "Du's been struggling with his shot, but he's been taking care of the ball. He's been running the offense for us. He's been playing good defense."

Boylan stressed the importance of Duhon continuing to shoot the ball in rhythm when he's open. Even if the ball doesn't find the net, the Bulls lead the NBA in offensive rebounds per game.

"He's never been a knock-down shooter," Boylan said. "He's always been a little up and down. So I'm expecting him to turn it around and start shooting the ball a little bit better for us. When he does, it's going to make us a better team."

Curry recalls crime: The New York Knicks spent Monday in Chicago, which gave former Bulls center Eddy Curry an opportunity to visit his home in Burr Ridge.

Curry told New York reporters he emptied the house after enduring a home invasion and burglary last summer. Curry and some members of his family were bound with duct tape during the ordeal. Two men have been arrested and charged with the crime.

"We had plans on selling the house, but we changed our minds eventually," Curry said. "Right after the robbery, I cleared it out. I didn't want to look at it."

Curry suggested he may continue to live in the house during the off-season, but with a few changes.

"We'll be better prepared with safe rooms, alarms, spotlights," said the Calumet City native. "We'll go over the top with the security."

Rookie returns to Iowa: JamesOn Curry and Demetris Nichols traded places Monday. Curry began another D-League assignment with the Iowa Energy, while Nichols returned to the Bulls after averaging 18.1 points and shooting 41.4 percent in nine games with the Des Moines-based squad.

One interesting note: Iowa went 6-3 with Curry in the lineup and has gone 3-7 since.