Advice to Rose: Stay aggressive
Being a rookie sensation isn't always easy, as Derrick Rose is discovering.
In the previous two games against New York and San Antonio, Rose attempted 41 shots but went to the foul line just once. He also missed driving attempts late in both contests.
"I think he's just got to continue to be aggressive," coach Vinny Del Negro said before Tuesday night's loss to Atlanta. "The referees will eventually come around with that stuff. He's got to attack and get body contact, not try to jump over or around guys."
Trailing by 1 with less than 30 seconds remaining against the Knicks, Rose went to the basket but couldn't finish with 6-foot-11 Jared Jeffries in the way.
"Derrick's got the floater and stuff," Del Negro said. "It's just a matter of not trying to extend too far to the basket, but getting into guys' chests and getting the calls. We work on those things.
"He'll figure it out. He's too smart and too good a player not to."
Hughes to Nets rumored: The Bergen (N.J.) Record reported that the Bulls have talked about sending guard Larry Hughes to the Nets for forward Bobby Simmons, a Chicago native, and Maurice Ager.
A league source suggested this deal was discussed weeks ago and both teams already decided it didn't make sense. This particular deal would add roughly $5 million to the Nets' payroll over the next two seasons.
It's no secret the Bulls are trying to deal Hughes, who has been unhappy with his playing time and hasn't seen any action in the last five games.
The Bulls likely would accept any deal that doesn't involve contracts extending beyond 2010, brings a big man in return and doesn't include any bad-character guys.
Gooden sits out: Drew Gooden decided to skip Tuesday's game to rest a groin strain. He suffered the injury Jan. 12 against Portland, sat out one game, then played in the next three. He didn't move well while playing limited minutes in Monday's loss at New York.
"We'll sit him tonight and hopefully he'll be better on Friday," coach Vinny Del Negro said before the game.
Bull horns: In the last two games, both losses, the Bulls outrebounded their opponents by a combined 31 boards. - There were big changes inside the Bulls' locker room Tuesday. Well, not really, but they did add two boards featuring the current NBA standings, one for each conference. - The Bulls will host a swearing-in ceremony for around 30 Navy recruits today at the Berto Center.