More than meets the eye to Bulls' addition of Pargo, Lucas

Bulls practice was over, but the players were still hoisting shots at the Berto Center when Jannero Pargo said something that had Derrick Rose cracking up.

The Bulls signed Pargo and fellow guard John Lucas III on Sunday, adding some depth in the backcourt.

This is Pargo's third stint with the Bulls. He was here last season and also from 2004-06. Lucas spent about five weeks with the Bulls earlier this season, but appeared in just one game. Tom Thibodeau was an assistant coach under Lucas' father, John, in both San Antonio and Philadelphia.

On the surface, the move to add two more point guards may seem pointless. Pargo and Lucas could easily spend the rest of the season on the inactive list.

There is a strategy in place, though. One primary role for Pargo and Lucas will be to give Rose some rest during practice. After scoring 42 points in an overtime loss at Indiana on Saturday, Rose admitted he was feeling beat up.

Coach Tom Thibodeau was angered by his team's poor defense during the majority of that game. So here's the natural solution: The Bulls can go full-speed in practice during the coming weeks, while Rose sits and rests on the sideline.

“That's all part of it,” Thibodeau said Sunday. “We want to practice down the stretch and how we pace the team will be important. Both guys are real smart players. They can pick things up quickly and I think they bring a lot to practice. Rasual (Butler) has brought a lot to practice. So I really like the guys we've been able to add.”

The Bulls signed Butler on March 3, but he's made only brief appearances in two games so far. Asked about Butler's participation, Thibodeau has said in the past the Bulls' rotation is set and Butler will have to be patient.

Another comment Sunday made it seem as though Thibodeau is open to changes if Rose doesn't get the help he needs on offense.

“All three of those guys can really shoot the ball and we wanted to add shooting as well,” Thibodeau said.

More than anything, Pargo's return is a triumph of character. He's capable of the occasional flurry of 3-point baskets, but has also been a popular teammate.

When he first joined the Bulls in 2004, Pargo seemed to have a quiet personality. But it became apparent that he was actually the locker room comedian. Now 31, Pargo is a master of keeping the atmosphere loose.

“It's nothing bad,” Rose said. “When it's time to get serious, he definitely is very serious and very professional. When it's leisure time, you know he's going to be the one cracking jokes and stuff. It's good to have him on the team.”

Joakim Noah just smiled and nodded when asked about having Pargo as a teammate once again.

“That's my friend,” Noah said. “I'm happy to have my friend back.”

In Rose's eyes, Pargo has actually been a role model for many years. Both players are from the Englewood neighborhood on Chicago's South Side.

Pargo wasn't a household name when he played at Arkansas and moved on to the NBA. But Rose admired him for successfully navigating the obstacles of a tough neighborhood.

“Even with all the things he was going through, he made it,” Rose said. “I'm happy he's back on the team because he's a good guy and he has good spirit.”

Pargo, who attended Robeson High School, grew up a few dozen blocks from Rose's childhood home.

“I was never in his neighborhood. He was never in my neighborhood,” Pargo said. “Englewood is big.

“Derrick and I go back. I watched him play a lot in high school (at Simeon). When I first saw him, he was at (trainer) Tim Grover's place. He thought I was so big and so tall. He was a young high school kid. Now he's much bigger than I am.”

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