advertisement

Bulls work on improving inside game

The team plane was scheduled to depart for Dallas in about a half-hour, but Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau remained on the court at the Berto Center, instructing his two tallest players, Joakim Noah and Omer Asik as three assistant coaches looked on.

No big deal, right? A chartered plane won't leave until the head coach is on board.

Thibodeau's top priority on Wednesday seemed to be correcting flaws that were apparent in the 92-83 loss at Milwaukee the previous night. With power forward Carlos Boozer expected to miss eight weeks with a broken bone in his right hand, there is suddenly more pressure on the Bulls' inside players.

The early results didn't look good, with the Bulls outrebounded by the Bucks 42-27. Noah, Asik, Taj Gibson and Kurt Thomas combined for 14 points and 14 rebounds, compared to Milwaukee's Drew Gooden, Jon Brockman, rookie Larry Sanders and Brian Skinner with 30 points and 16 boards. Bucks center Andrew Bogut sat out with an injury.

Some other issues were allowing Milwaukee to shoot 50.8 percent from the field and the Bulls' new players generally looking a little lost, other than Kyle Korver scoring a game-high 22 points.

The Bulls didn't shoot well in any category, going 42.5 percent overall and 62.1 percent at the foul line.

“Guys are learning how to play with each other, Thibodeau said Wednesday. “They're still not certain about all the sets we're trying to run. I thought we played unselfishly. We didn't make as many shots as we would like. Part of that was Milwaukee's defense.

“We have to become more of a multiple effort team and sustain it for 48 minutes. We don't want anybody taking any plays off. When you're out there, you're expected to play both ends.

Gibson left the game in the second half with a sore lower back. After receiving treatment Wednesday, he expects to play Thursday against the Mavericks.

Ronnie Brewer will likely skip the game with a sore hamstring, but may make the trip. Boozer had surgery Tuesday and watched practice at the Berto Center with his right arm in a sling. Derrick Rose had several of his right fingers wrapped, but stayed long after practice working on his shot and rarely missed.

Dampier looks for job: ESPN.com reported the Bulls are planning to meet with ex-Mavericks center Erick Dampier during the trip to Dallas. Dampier, 35, is considered a good defensive big man.The Bulls didn't expect to have much playing time available at the inside spots, but Carlos Boozer's injury changes the outlook.GM survey says: NBA.com posted results of its annual survey of general managers. The Bulls were picked by 82 percent to win the Central division and Derrick Rose won the category #8220;fastest with the ball.Kyle Korver finished second in best shot, behind Boston's Ray Allen. Ron Adams placed third for best assistant coach, behind Utah's Phil Johnson and Tyrone Corbin.Rose was third in #8220;most likely to have a breakout season after the Clippers' Blake Griffin and Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook, but didn't make top four in best point guard (Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Steve Nash, Chauncey Billups).Bull horns: The Bulls released center Chris Richard on Wednesday. #8230; Tickets are available for the Bulls' annual tipoff luncheon on Oct. 21 at the Chicago Hilton. #8230; Comcast SportsNet recorded its highest rating for a Bulls preseason game since the Michael Jordan era. Tuesday's broadcast in Milwaukee peaked at just over 100,000 viewers.