Taking a cautious, long-term approach, the Bulls didn’t play Tyson Chandler in Wednesday’s season opener. Chandler wanted to start, which is why his competitive fire flashed when asked about his sore back. “I’m a little stiff and sore, but that should be expected being that these are my first two days of practice since my injury,” Chandler said. “I don’t like to watch anybody step up.” Coach Bill Cartwright stuck to his stance of not wanting to lose Chandler for the long haul. Chandler rode a stationary bicycle behind the Bulls’ bench to try to get loose, pounding it when the Wizards scored inside. . . .
Former Bulls general manager Jerry Krause will begin a weekly segment on WSCR-AM 670 on Thursday in the 7 a.m. hour. Krause offered draft-night analysis for the station last June and has signed a deal for short segments each week. . . . Former Bull Trenton Hassell landed on his feet by signing a one-year, guaranteed contract with Minnesota, where he again will battle Fred Hoiberg for playing time. . . . Want proof of why the Bulls desire a strong start this season? The five seasons of rebuilding have featured starts of 4-15, 4-23, 3-24, 2-26 and 4-13. It’s hard to make the playoffs from those holes. . . .
The opener marked the beginning of assistant Johnny Bach’s 51st year of coaching, 24 of them in the NBA. “I still get excited,” Bach said. . . . Befitting his age and veteran status, Scottie Pippen sits in the only ergonomically correct chair in the locker room.
