The Spurs recently trained in France, home of guard
The international impact went beyond the Bulls' 99-67 thrashing of the Spurs on Thursday night at the
It could have effects on the Bulls' starting lineup.
Deng's return trip is hitting the typical snags, meaning he might not be available for Friday's home exhibition against Minnesota. And coach Scott Skiles is itching to settle on a starting five.
"I'm not so much concerned about the overall rotation for opening night or the first few games," Skiles said. "But we have to come to a conclusion on a starting lineup."
Skiles stressed nothing is wrong with the lineup featuring Deng. But if he misses Friday, only three exhibitions remain.
"Then do we want to change the lineup back only to possibly change it again before the first game?" Skiles asked rhetorically. "Andres provides a little more spacing because teams tend to creep [out on] him at the line. But [Deng] has the cutting game that makes him unique. Where we end up, who knows?"
Nocioni, for his part, is spouting his typical line about not minding either role.
"For me, it's the same," he said. "I want to play. That's it. I want to help this team to win. I don't have any problems if Luol is the starter. I still play minutes.
"I think I can help the team coming from the bench. Sometimes, I can change the rhythm of the game. I feel great here. I'm comfortable."
So were the Bulls, who had 23 assists, only 13 turnovers and enjoyed a whopping 26-4 edge on fast-break points in improving to 4-0.
"We played very well," Skiles said. "We had two priorities, to run more and harder, and not turn it over when we ran. I thought we accomplished both."
Gordon's 19 points came on 7-of-12 shooting. Hinrich added 10 points with five assists.
"It was coming pretty easily," Gordon said. "I was taking my shots in rhythm."
Rookie
Asked the difference between playing with countrymen Ginobili and Oberto instead of against them, Nocioni smiled.
"Now I need to think, `No pass the ball to Manu,'" he said.
The rim shot was optional.
Layups
Michael Sweetney didn't play again. . . . Friday's game will be broadcast on the team's new flagship station, WCKG-FM 105.9. . . . Former Bull Jared Reiner is in the Spurs camp. . . . Skiles went ballistic when
kcjohnson@tribune.com