With seven new faces, Bulls coach Scott Skiles has yeoman’s work to do as the Bulls begin exhibition play Wednesday night against the Washington Wizards. He must integrate styles and experience levels as he tries to find proper playing combinations for a rotation that could go 12 players deep.
Just because P.J. Brown, Ben Wallace, Luol Deng, Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich will start against the Wizards doesn’t mean that lineup is set in stone. High expectations aren’t the only new thing with which the Bulls are dealing these days.
“That’s a reason why the exhibitions are more important this year,” Skiles said. “We need to get some things ironed out so we’re ready to go. We can’t afford to be kicking away games in November thinking we’re going to get them back somewhere else.”
Here’s a look at the Bulls’ seven new guys:
Ben Wallace, center
Back then: The Bulls’ $60 million free agent won Defensive Player of the Year for the fourth time last season. His former Pistons team reached the NBA Finals back-to-back prior to the 2006 championship series and won it all in 2004.
And now: Wallace is 32, with 10 years in his rearview mirror, so the Bulls know what they have. Nevertheless, Wallace is excited about Wednesday. “You see some good things,” Wallace said. “You also see some gray areas where we need to get better–execution, waiting on picks, not leaving too fast and giving the big man the opportunity to set the picks.”
P.J. Brown, forward-center
Back then: Brown and J.R. Smith were acquired from the Hornets in exchange for Tyson Chandler. The 14-year veteran leader appeared in 35 playoff games for the Miami Heat. He and Chris Duhon share the same hometown of Slidell, La.
And now: Like Wallace, his minutes will be monitored. He functions, for now, as the starting power forward and backup center. Keeping the 36-year-old fresh is essential. “I kind of want to skip (preseason) and get to Halloween and Miami,” Brown said.
Thabo Sefolosha, guard
Back then: He grew up idolizing the Bulls in Switzerland. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard spent his first three pro seasons in France and the last one in Italy, where he averaged 12 points a game.
And now: Skiles wants to use the 6-foot-7 rookie in some three-guard sets and give him some minutes at point guard. But first Sefolosha has to get over being star-struck. “They told me the United Center is real big, and we have nothing like that in Europe,” he said. “But it’s just basketball. I’m going to try to focus on the game and the player I’m guarding.”
Tyrus Thomas, forward
Back then: As a redshirt freshman at LSU, “T-Time” was instrumental in the Tigers’ Final Four run. The No. 4 pick in the draft averaged 12.3 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game last season.
And now: Thomas has been one of the most active players in training camp, and coaches want to see if Thomas reacts similarly when the lights go on. “As soon as he plays a game, teams will start scouting him and trying to figure him out,” Skiles said. “Then it’s what kind of progress he can make.”
Adrian Griffin, guard-forward
Back then: The 32-year-old signed a free-agent contract with Dallas in late November and started in 45 of the 52 games he played. He helped the Mavericks reach the NBA Finals.
And now: The wily veteran rarely will show anything flashy. Just solid, crafty play that will remind Bulls fans why he always seems to find significant minutes.
Viktor Khryapa, forward
Back then: The 6-foot-9 Ukraine native played in 101 career NBA games during two seasons for the Trail Blazers. The Bulls acquired him in a draft day trade.
And now: He does a little bit of everything. Skiles is curious to see how he fits into the rotation. He should play significant second-half minutes.
Martynas Andriuskevicius, center
Back then: The 7-foot-2 Lithuanian spent most of last season in the NBA’s developmental league. The Bulls got him in a trade with the Cavaliers.
And now: Beyond making longtime equipment manager John Ligmanowski earn his paycheck by fitting his last name on a jersey, he is a long-term project who will try to display his raw offensive moves in fourth quarters.
