Bulls will start Bogans at Oklahoma City

When the Bulls signed three free-agent shooting guards during the summer, Keith Bogans was probably the least likely to earn a starting job.

But Bogans will be introduced with the starting lineup on Wednesday in Oklahoma City. Coach Tom Thibodeau made it official Monday, and Bogans said even he was surprised when Thibodeau shared the news with players at practice.

“I came in and played well in camp. I didn't want to settle for anything,” Bogans said. “Everyone wants to make the best out of a situation. So I came in, put the work in and it paid off.”

Thanks in part to a hamstring injury that kept Ronnie Brewer sidelined for the first two weeks of training camp, Bogans started all eight preseason games, averaging 5.5 points in 17 minutes. He knocked down 10 of 20 shots from 3-point range.

“He's just been solid. He's done all the things we expected of him,” Thibodeau said. “He's a very good defensive player. He spreads the floor because he can shoot the 3. He's a tough competitor, so he's earned it.”

Brewer has gotten healthier and figures to get a chance at taking over the starting job eventually. Thibodeau likes Kyle Korver bringing offensive punch off the bench.

“I thought Keith did a great job the whole preseason,” Bulls forward Luol Deng said. “I think the coaches are just trying to give Ronnie a little bit more time. Either guy could start.”

Common role for Bogans:

During his seven previous years in the NBA, Keith Bogans posted 227 starts, so this role is nothing new for him. He started the majority of his team's games as recently as last season in San Antonio.

Bogans understands that he's not expected to try to score 20 points per game just because he's the starter at shooting guard.

“I'm going to bring defense first, energy first,” Bogans said. “I'll take the open shots when they're there, but my main role on this team is defense. I'm probably going to guard the best perimeter player every night and take my shots when they're there.”

Rose competes on air:

Nike has debuted a new commercial where LeBron James tries to explain away his unpopular decisions of the summer.

Derrick Rose, meanwhile, has a capable challenger on the air, an Adidas spot co-starring comedian Ken Jeong as fake rapper-gangster “Slim Chin.”

“I put in a lot of hours in the summer just being on set, doing those commercials. Ten-hour days and stuff like that,” Rose said. “The set was so hot. Spending those hours on set, I think it's time it pays off.

“I'm still in awe about it. I never thought I'd be in a commercial where people are calling me and saying it's nice; kids are buying my shoes. It's all a blessing.”

Bull horns:

The Bulls picked up the third-year options on forwards James Johnson and Taj Gibson, along with Derrick Rose's fourth-year option. There was some question whether the Bulls would exercise Johnson's option, but he played well late in the preseason. … After Monday's practice, Rose and Luol Deng posed with pit bulls for a charity calendar sponsored by Comcast SportsNet. Rose also shot a scoreboard video to fire up fans at Northwestern games.