James just keeps working as he waits to contribute

Center Jerome James deserves some credit. Most veteran players in his situation would have gone home long ago.

But James was out on the court running his big-man version of sprints before Tuesday night's contest at the United Center. The Bulls have just eight games left, so the chances are slim of James seeing his first action of the year.

"I don't quit, man," James said. "Some people say, 'Hey, it's over.' Not me. I'm not quitting. I'll keep pushing. My teammates love me; management loves me. Everybody around here, we get along. I'm not going to stop working.

"Who knows? If we clinch (the playoffs), I might get out there. If we run into Cleveland in the first round, I'm 7-2, 300 pounds. You can put me out there against the big man (Shaquille O'Neal).

"Who knows? So I'm just going to make sure if it happens, I'm ready."

James, 34, was recovering from a torn Achilles' tendon when he joined the Bulls from New York as part of the Larry Hughes trade in February 2009. He hasn't played at all for the Bulls and has seen action in just four games over the past three seasons.

"I haven't made the playoffs in five years," James said. "Just to be on this team and make the playoffs is a big deal for me. I' m going to stay here and do my part."

Deng back on court: Luol Deng was moving well on the court, taking shots before Tuesday's game. He hasn't played since suffering a right-calf strain March 9 against Utah, but he could be getting close to recovery.

With two games this weekend, the logical target for Deng's return is Saturday at home against Charlotte.

"We'll see. This is the first time he's really run a little bit," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "He said he's feeling better, so we'll just take it a day at a time and hopefully we get him back for next game.

"If not, the next one. I just don't know because I don't know how his leg is going to react."

Johnson keeps playing: James Johnson started his second straight game since being diagnosed with a partially torn plantar fascia in his right foot. He scored 6 points in 15 minutes.

"It was bruised up, but it's a lot better now," he said before the game. "I'm still going through some of the pain, but I should be fine. (I'll just) keep taping it."

Bull horns: Channing Frye, a Portland bench warmer last season, ranks fourth in the league in 3-pointers made (155) and fifth in percentage (.442). - Sight seen: Phoenix general manager Steve Kerr and Bulls radio analyst Bill Wennington outside the locker rooms before the game trying to coax an e-response from former Bulls teammate Jud Buechler.